❛ 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass, don't know how much time has passed. All I know is that it feels like forever. ❜

SEASON 3, EPISODE 8
made to suffer

━━━━━━ day 310.

MERLE AND HIS people left Bianca and Maggie in the interrogation room alone. There were no guards left to keep watch, just them along with the dead walker and the looming dread of their situation.

⠀⠀⠀They sat together in silence. Neither tried to comfort the other, their minds too heavy with what had happened in the past few hours. The most interaction they had was Bianca shrugging off her flannel to give to Maggie, still half-naked after her time with the other man.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca couldn't help but feel guilty after realizing what the man likely did to Maggie. She wished they had switched places. The bruises on Bianca's face would fade. Still, Bianca was sure that being taken advantage of would plague Maggie's mind forever.

⠀⠀⠀After a while, Bianca's thoughts became too much, and she needed the answers. At least a reassuring one because she hoped nothing went too far.

⠀⠀⠀"Maggie, did he—?"

⠀⠀⠀Maggie sighed loudly. Her frown pushed further into her face, and she ran her hand through her hair. Then, she turned to Bianca with a faint but reassuring smile.

⠀⠀⠀"No, he didn't," Maggie assured her, and Bianca believed her. Maggie took her hand and squeezed it tightly. "I wish you could say the same."

⠀⠀⠀"I can take a few hits," Bianca retorted, smiling, but it likely came off more as a grimace. "I had it comin', but so does Merle," she concluded, leaning her head against the wall and staring ragefully at the door. For a moment, she hoped Merle would come inside so she could beat the shit out of him. But, then, she'd likely get shot and Maggie, too.

⠀⠀⠀"All this time, runnin' from walkers," Maggie muttered, but a similar fury in her words mimicked Bianca's thoughts. "You forget what people do. Have always done."

⠀⠀⠀Bianca wanted to agree that the walkers made you forget what people were like, but she couldn't. Merle, Ed, Jenner, Shane, Tomas, even Jim not telling them he was bit... People would stay the same even when the world changed around them. Bianca knew this. She had always known it. Trust was hard before, and it was harder now. She could only hope that the people she called family wouldn't turn out like that one day.

⠀⠀⠀"Look at what they did to you," Maggie said solemnly, turning to Bianca.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca could see Maggie's doe-eye concern in her peripheral, but she didn't need the pity. The pain didn't bother her.

⠀⠀⠀"I'd rather get punched until I couldn't see than go through what you did," Bianca explained, tears pricking at her eyes. "This, it'll fade, but you—"

⠀⠀⠀Maggie squeezed her hand again, a warm smile filling her face as she said, "I'll be okay, too."

⠀⠀⠀Bianca nodded but wasn't entirely convinced. Once they got out of this, Bianca felt she could put it behind her. She didn't get hung up on Merle knocking her out on the rooftop or Ed trying to drown her as much as she likely should've. It didn't traumatize her. She was angry. She threw it back in Merle's face, but that's because it got under his skin. And because he got under hers no matter what punches, he threw.

⠀⠀⠀However, maybe Maggie was right. They were constantly on the move, running for their lives, struggling to find another way. Maggie might forget with the hundred new traumatizing things the world threw at her after this.

⠀⠀⠀The silence thickened again. Bianca's eyes trailed across the floor until they reached the walker. Her mind was flooded with nonsense before a brief idea formed. A chuckle left her lips before she was laughing. It was loud and filled her chest like when she sat with Merle.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie turned to her, eyes wide in concern. She probably thought Bianca was crazy or crazier than before.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca didn't answer her, letting go of Maggie's hand as she stood to her feet. She stumbled over to the walker with an amused smile as she looked down at the walker. Then, she rested her boot down on the walker's chest.

⠀⠀⠀She took a moment, thinking how far she had walked in those shoes. The soles were wearing, and her whole life in this mess of the end was behind every step in those shoes. From the night Eugene turned to now. They got her here, and she would make it out again and again.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca bent down, taking the walker's arm, then forced it back until the bone cracked. The rotting flesh made the arm easy to remove in two sharp tugs. Maggie walked over, curious but catching on now. Bianca rested the shoulder on the ground and held its hands in two of hers. She took her foot, snapping the bone inside the flesh so shards wouldn't fly around the room. Then, she dug her nails into the meat and forced out two pieces of bone. The snap made the ends sharp enough to use as sharp objects.

⠀⠀⠀"Oh, they really think we're stupid," Bianca laughed.

CAL, MICHONNE, RICK, Daryl, Glenn, and Oscar sat outside Woodbury's walls. It was just their luck that they arrived during a shift change. They didn't have enough time to use it to their advantage, and another wouldn't happen for four hours. Rick stated they at least needed to wait until nightfall to give them more room to move, and the others agreed.

⠀⠀⠀Now, they waited for the guards to come across a distraction. A civilian coming along for a quick chat or a walker approaching through the woods. There was nothing. Cal grew more and more frustrated with the lack of distraction. He almost suggested turning himself over, explaining that he made it despite Merle's claim, but the prison group needed him. They wouldn't know where to look first and would likely get caught before they passed the houses.

⠀⠀⠀Behind them, the leaves crunched, and Cal turned to see Michonne taking her leave. She said nothing to them, but Cal suspected she was either making use of her time to find Andrea or kill the Governor.

⠀⠀⠀"Dammit," Rick muttered in annoyance after trying to call her back but failed. "Alright, we need to downsize."

⠀⠀⠀The others removed their bulkier weapons while Cal waited. He only had his machete, the only thing they trusted him with for now.

⠀⠀⠀"Ain't no way we're gonna check in all the buildings, not with all the guards there," Daryl muttered. Cal could see his hope for saving Bianca and their other friend dwindling, but Cal was sure he could find them.

⠀⠀⠀"I know which buildings are residential and which they would take prisoners to," Cal explained to Daryl.

⠀⠀⠀Rick turned to look at him with a stern look, unconvinced, and rose a suspicious brow.

⠀⠀⠀"Are you sure?" Rick asked. "The Governor, the man who runs this place, wouldn't he expect you to go looking and move them somewhere else?"

⠀⠀⠀"No, the man who took Bianca and Hershel's daughter was supposed to kill Michonne," Cal said, pointing to where Michonne had been, then continued. "He came back with neither of us. Nothing to say that we died, no bodies, no nothing. If he said we got away... he would be as good as dead. He had to say we got eaten by walkers and made an escape or some bullshit. The Governor won't know we're coming."

⠀⠀⠀Rick still didn't seem too impressed by Cal but didn't press when Michonne crept back to them. She sat behind the truck and waved for them to follow her. They picked up what they could carry and did as she asked.

⠀⠀⠀Michonne got them inside through the medical building with boarded-up windows to keep people from seeing inside. Cal helped them pry off the boards to the window, and they climbed inside to regroup. No one was home. The lights were out except for a few candles and nothing else.

⠀⠀⠀"This is where you were held?" Rick asked, looking around the room. Hospital beds lined one wall and kept rations in the pantry for the patients.

⠀⠀⠀"I was questioned," Michonne corrected him.

⠀⠀⠀"Any idea where else they could be?" Rick asked, turning away from her and to Cal.

⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, there's a warehouse on the other side of town," Cal said, nodding toward the front door. "It's quiet over there, easier to keep prisoners out of sight."

⠀⠀⠀"I thought y'all said there was a curfew," Daryl called from the front window, pushing back the curtain and turning to them with an accusatory frown.

⠀⠀⠀"The street is packed during the day," Michonne said. "Those are stragglers."

⠀⠀⠀"If anyone comes in here, we're sitting ducks," Daryl muttered.

⠀⠀⠀"If anyone comes in, I'll handle them," Cal told them.

⠀⠀⠀"We gotta move," Rick sighed. "You said a warehouse on the other side of town?"

⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, it's easy to miss for the regular folk," Cal explained with a shrug.

⠀⠀⠀"They could be in his apartment," Michonne added, but Cal knew they wouldn't be. She had her own agenda she wanted to complete, and Cal couldn't blame her. "It's on the way."

⠀⠀⠀"Yeah? What if they ain't?" Oscar asked, looking down at her.

⠀⠀⠀"Then we go to the warehouse," Michonne said.

⠀⠀⠀A knock on the door made the room freeze in less than a second. Cal could feel the anxiety filtering through the air and moved first. He raised his hand to his lips and ushered the group into the back just as the door opened.

⠀⠀⠀"I saw you moving from outside," Jerry, a man that lived in the same building as Cal, called inside. "Alright, now. You're not supposed to be in here, and you know it. Who's in here?"

⠀⠀⠀"Stay here," Cal whispered forcefully to the others, raising his hands at them. He didn't need Michonne or Daryl coming up after him and ruining what Cal could achieve peacefully.

⠀⠀⠀Cal gave them one final stern look before turning on his heel and stumbled out of the door. He held his side where he'd been cut and held the wall for support as he walked toward Jerry.

⠀⠀⠀"Who's there?!" Jerry exclaimed.

⠀⠀⠀"Jerry," Cal greeted in a low voice, a sliver of pain filtering through his words, then he hissed. "Man, am I glad to see you."

⠀⠀⠀"Cal? Oh, my stars," Jerry breathed out in surprise, his eyes growing wide as he walked quickly over to him. His shaky hand rested on his shoulder, squeezing tightly. "The Governor made the announcement just this morning. Said you died heroically protecting your group. I was so sorry to hear your passing, but... you're here!"

⠀⠀⠀"Yeah," Cal said with a slight laugh, scratching the back of his head nervously. "We went out there to find Michonne for Andrea, but I got sliced pretty good by her. Didn't want to come back, I guess. Anyways, we got split up, and I passed out. When I came to, I found a drug store and stitched myself up before getting back, but... I need to see Dr. Stevens to see if it's alright."

⠀⠀⠀"Yes, yes! Of course, son. Hold on, I'll get her. You just... stay put!" Jerry exclaimed. He let go of Cal's shoulder and turned to head for the door.

⠀⠀⠀Jerry was older and slow, which allowed Cal the time he needed. He picked up the spare plywood board leaning against the door, and with all the force, he had swung it across the back of Jerry's head. The board split in half, and Jerry slumped to the floor, knocked out.

⠀⠀⠀When the group heard the commotion, they rushed into the room to find Cal dragging the man away from the door. He got him slumped against the wall and stood. Rick was staring at him, and Cal couldn't tell if the impressed look on the stoic man was real or just his imagination. Rick nodded at him, then turned to Daryl and asked him to zip-tie the man.

BIANCA AND MAGGIE were ready for Merle's return. The door creaked open ominously, and they were standing shoulder to shoulder in preparation. They had already made their plan. Bianca would go for Merle, and Maggie would go for the other.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca darted for Merle as he entered, but it was like he had been in the room for their plan. He caught her hand just as the bone touched his skin. He yanked her wrist downward, twisting her odd at an odd angle, threatening to break it. His knife hand came up to her neck, waiting to see her next move.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie was doing better than her at the moment. The man hadn't suspected their plan of attack and got a bone stabbed into the side of his neck. She took the man's gun, cocking it, and pointed it at Merle.

⠀⠀⠀"Let her go!" Maggie screamed.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca and Merle had been locked in a glaring contest, both waiting for the other. Finally, Merle dragged his gaze from hers and toward Maggie's. A smile came to his lips, and he let go of Bianca's arm. He raised his hand along with his blade resting against Bianca's neck.

⠀⠀⠀"Okay," Merle said.

⠀⠀⠀Behind Maggie, a swarm of guards entered the room with at least five guns pinned on them. Merle snatched the weapon from Maggie's hands while she was distracted, then kicked Bianca in the side. Then he shouted at Bianca to stand as if she hadn't been before.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie and Bianca were forced onto their knees. Maggie started sobbing. Bianca kept her head held high and glared at Merle as he stalked circles around them. He looked giddy to kill them, to kill Bianca just like he had wanted to since they first met.

⠀⠀⠀"Glad we could catch up," Merle mused with a sick smile. He walked back behind the two women so they could no longer see his face, anticipation swarming inside their stomachs for the end to happen.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca turned to Maggie. If she had to die, she wanted her last moments in this hell to be looking at someone she loved and not the old, dank room she was kept in.

⠀⠀⠀"Thank you, Maggie. For everything," Bianca said to her firmly. The straight face she was trying to keep from cracking.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie took a deep breath in, letting her sob lessen for a moment.

⠀⠀⠀"Thank you, Bianca," Maggie replied, thinning her lips and furrowing her brows, determined. "You've become like a sister to me. I love you."

⠀⠀⠀Tears welled in Bianca's eyes at that. This was beginning to feel like the end.

⠀⠀⠀"I love you, too."

⠀⠀⠀A bag was forced over Maggie's head, so Bianca's one wish to go out looking at her friend, her sister, was gone. Then a bag was put over hers. It was dark, but the lights filtered through the stitches. Bianca could still make out what was happening around her. She was pulled up by her arm to her feet and then dragged a few feet when forced to a stop.

⠀⠀⠀The door slammed open behind Bianca then her vision became foggy as her lungs filled with smoke. Everyone in the room started coughing violently. Then, the bag was ripped from her head, and Rick was staring at her. Bianca could hardly speak, her vision swimming with tears. Rick didn't have time to talk or comfort her. He dragged her out of the room with her arm draped over his shoulders.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca could feel it now, her ribs bruised to Merle kicking her in the side and her face burning as salty tears fell into open wounds. Maggie found her other side, helping keep her upright as they ran from the building.

⠀⠀⠀They led Bianca outside the building and into another before they were caught. Rick left her to sit against the wall while he and the rest of the rescue team worked together on a plan to get out. Bianca held her side as she took steady breaths while Maggie fretted worriedly. She checked her ribs, concluding she may have a broken rib. Bianca would agree, as the pain was only getting worse the longer she lingered with the pain.

⠀⠀⠀"Rick, how did you find us?" Maggie asked, concern falling over her, and turned to him as he paced at the front of the room.

⠀⠀⠀"How bad are you hurt?" Rick asked Bianca, walking over to them and squatting down in front of her.

⠀⠀⠀"Got what I had comin' for me, right?" Bianca asked with a hurt smile. Rick gave her a frown, catching onto what she meant. Bianca meant it, Lori was still dead, and Rick blamed her. She could see it on his face when he went into the prison, letting out his anger. He seemed to regret his feelings towards her from what Bianca could make out in the darkroom and one not swollen eye. "I'm fine," she muttered quickly.

⠀⠀⠀"Where's that woman?" Maggie asked, looking around the room.

⠀⠀⠀Rick did the same, looking frustrated as he didn't spot her. He looked through the window with a frown.

⠀⠀⠀"She was right behind us."

⠀⠀⠀"Maybe she was spotted," Oscar suggested. That surprised Bianca because he wasn't allowed anywhere near their side of the prison in the last conversation with the man. Let alone helping them retrieve one of their own.

⠀⠀⠀"Want me to go look for her?" Daryl asked.

⠀⠀⠀"No. We gotta get them out of here. She's on her own," Rick told them. He stepped away from the window and looked at Bianca. He stepped away with one of them, but Bianca was focused on Daryl.

⠀⠀⠀"Daryl," Bianca said, her breathing ragged as he turned to her with worry. An expression she hardly saw on his rough face. "This was Merle. That rat bastard did this to me."

⠀⠀⠀"You saw him?" Daryl asked, dazed by her claim. He took two steps backward before stumbling to stand by her.

⠀⠀⠀"I stared that motherfucker in the eyes," Bianca spat, blood and saliva freckling the floor. "Beat the shit out of me like he always wanted to. Threw a walker at me. He was gonna kill Maggie and me."

⠀⠀⠀"S-So, my brother's this governor?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

⠀⠀⠀"No, it's somebody else," Maggie explained. "Your brother's his lieutenant or somethin'."

⠀⠀⠀"Does he know I'm still with you?" Daryl asked.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca felt her veins burning hot, frustrated that Daryl wasn't listening. They were beaten, tormented, nearly killed by his brother, and still, Daryl was wrapped around his little finger.

⠀⠀⠀"He does now," Rick told him.

⠀⠀⠀"Rick," Bianca said with a frown, redirecting her focus to something else. "We tried to hold out, but we told him about the prison. I'm sorry."

⠀⠀⠀"Hey, it's alright. No need to apologize," Rick assured her. He spoke to her softly in a way she had never heard from her own dad. If her dad were alive and in Rick's position, he'd be cursing, blaming her for everything Rick didn't. Bianca let a relieved smile slip across her face. "They're gonna be looking for us. We have to get back. Can you walk? We got a car a few miles out."

⠀⠀⠀"I can make it," Bianca said.

⠀⠀⠀"Alright," Rick said, holding his hand to help her stand.

⠀⠀⠀Glenn took the side Maggie had been holding her up. He smiled faintly, looking awkward to be standing beside her. Bianca furrowed her brows but smiled, happy to see him. He was likely just put off by the fact they had kidnapped Maggie, Bianca told herself.

⠀⠀⠀"Hey, if Merle's around, I need to see him," Daryl interrupted their attempt to move out.

⠀⠀⠀"Not now," Rick scolded him. "We're in hostile territory."

⠀⠀⠀"He's my brother! I ain't—"

⠀⠀⠀"Look, we gotta get out of here now," Rick cut him off.

⠀⠀⠀"Maybe I can talk to him. Maybe I can work somethin' out," Daryl argued, sitting on the edge of begging.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca felt angry that Daryl wouldn't listen to her, but at the same time, a sadness washed over her. The knowledge of Merle beating the crap out of Bianca, nearly killing her and Maggie, did nothing on the years of manipulation Merle had put on him. After years of abuse, Daryl still became weak, even at the mention of his brother's name. As if he were only valuable when in his brother's shadow. It made Bianca wish she had killed Merle when she had the chance, but she was sure the man would find a way to kick her down before she ever could.

⠀⠀⠀"Look, no matter what they say, they're hurt," Rick told Daryl sternly. "Bianca can barely walk. How are we gonna make it out if we get overrun by walkers, or this governor catches up to us? I need you. Are you with me?"

⠀⠀⠀Daryl stared at them, considering his options. Bianca worried he might say no, but he nodded and said, "Yeah."

⠀⠀⠀Bianca and Maggie were given guns before they headed out. Daryl opened the front door, throwing another smoke bomb into the street. He waited for a second, then rushed everyone outside. Bianca hunched over both from the pain and tried to keep out of the incoming fire. She held her gun in her non-dominant hand, her other over Glenn's shoulder, but her shot wasn't nearly as good, especially with the smoke obscuring their vision.

⠀⠀⠀Rick shouted for a retreat, hiding in an alcove before anyone noticed their disappearance.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca was fading. She leaned against the brick wall behind her and closed her eyes as she listened to the garbled plan. When they figured it out, Maggie shook her shoulder and helped her to the bus while the others covered the exit.

⠀⠀⠀Oscar stood on top of the bus and then held his hand out to Bianca. He pulled her up onto the hood. Her limbs felt like lead as she was raised then everything hit at once as she scrambled onto the top of the bus.

⠀⠀⠀A shot whizzed through the air toward the bus. Bianca turned as she watched Oscar fall to the ground with a grunt.

⠀⠀⠀"Oscar!" Bianca screamed, her voice cracking as Maggie fell beside him.

⠀⠀⠀"Rick! Rick!" Maggie screamed for him, her hands coated in Oscar's blood.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca looked around, everyone still shooting, and if Maggie didn't move, she might be just like Oscar.

⠀⠀⠀"Maggie! Come on!" she screamed at her desperately.

⠀⠀⠀"RICK!" Maggie tried again, but he didn't come.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie stood, realizing too that there was no hope for Oscar. She raised her gun, and Bianca was thankful he was passed out or already gone. Maggie shot him in the head, giving him the decency of not re-animating, then clawed her way onto the bus.

⠀⠀⠀Maggie helped Bianca down the side of the bus and then followed after her with a jump that looked like it hurt. After that, they waited anxiously for the others to arrive.

⠀⠀⠀A few minutes later, Rick and Glenn forced the two women to follow them without the others. Rick carried a bag of weapons behind him, and they hid behind a truck by the wall.

⠀⠀⠀A sound rustled behind them, but it wasn't Daryl like Bianca had hoped. Instead, a woman emerged from under the truck they sat behind. She was shaking, blood staining her hands. Bianca couldn't make out much of her, but she was beautiful. Dark skin that helped her camouflage in the night, wide black eyes that looked terrified by what had happened, and hair braided into locs and pushed back by a fabric headband.

⠀⠀⠀Rick stood immediately on her arrival and pressed his gun into her forehead. Glenn and Maggie stood behind him, but Bianca kept back, her body turning to jelly the longer she sat.

⠀⠀⠀"Where the hell were you?" Rick seethed. Bianca surmised this was the woman Maggie had noticed with them. The woman didn't answer him. "Turn around. Turn around."

⠀⠀⠀The woman listened and turned to face Maggie. Rick took the katana on her back and threw it aside. When she surmised he was finished, she turned back to stare at Rick, the terrified expression gone, and now she looked like an emotionless slate.

⠀⠀⠀"Get what you came for?" Rick asked between his teeth. Bianca could feel the anger radiating off him, the same as when they were walking those tunnels with Tomas.

⠀⠀⠀"Where are the rest of your people?" the woman asked him slowly.

⠀⠀⠀"They got Oscar," Rick stated.

⠀⠀⠀"Daryl and that other guy are missin'," Maggie noticed shakily, holding herself as she turned to the woman. "You didn't see them?"

⠀⠀⠀The woman shook her head no, everything about her slow. As if she were being cautious to not make any sudden moves.

⠀⠀⠀"If anything happens to him—" Rick hissed.

⠀⠀⠀"I brought you here to save them," the woman retorted.

⠀⠀⠀"Thanks for the help," Rick snapped back at her sarcastically.

⠀⠀⠀The woman's face fell. She could see through Rick with ease that he was done with her and whatever else she might have pulled before this. The woman walked forward, her eyes growing wider and more desperate.

⠀⠀⠀"You'll need help to get them back to the prison or go back in there for Daryl and Cal," the woman said firmly.

⠀⠀⠀Bianca's mind stopped listening when she heard the name. She stared in astonishment at the woman who hadn't noticed, trying to configure if what she heard was correct. She waited a moment for her mind to correct her, analyzing what she heard and hoping to realize that she heard Carl or even Carol, but no... she heard right.

⠀⠀⠀Maybe this was a different Cal. Of course, Cal wasn't that uncommon of a name, but still... how could she be sure? How could she ever be sure unless she saw this Cal?

⠀⠀⠀Bianca stood to her feet, adrenaline rushing through her body, and suddenly the pain was gone. Only her heart felt tight, fighting for its life inside her chest as hope swelled and a sense of dread as he was left inside of this messed uptown.

⠀⠀⠀"What did you say?" Bianca asked her frantically, getting worried looks from Glenn and Maggie beside her. "Did you just say—did you say Cal?"

⠀⠀⠀"Um, yes," the woman answered her awkwardly, raising a brow in question.

⠀⠀⠀"Bianca," Rick said sternly, and she turned to look at him.

⠀⠀⠀Rick was a good liar, but not in a situation like this, and he knew it. His face was down-turned in that guilty, fatherly expression he often gave Carl. His blue eyes were knowing, and his lips were in a deep-set frown. It told her everything she needed to know.

⠀⠀⠀"We'll get him and Daryl back," Rick told her. Bianca's heart stopped as she listened to every word diligently. "I promise."

CAL HELPED THEM rescue Bianca and Hershel's daughter. He had never felt more relieved and helpless all at the same time. Rick had gone into the room first, pulled the bag off her head, and rushed her outside before he could say anything. When they got into the abandoned building near the front of the town, he almost said something to her, but she looked so out of it and beaten down.

⠀⠀⠀Then, Rick dragged him aside before he could make a rash decision.

⠀⠀⠀"Listen to me," Rick whispered sternly. His brows furrowed together until they nearly touched. He bowed his head, looking from under his lashes. It sent a chill down Cal's spine then he continued. "I know you want to go over there, tell her everything that's happened, but we can't have any distractions right now. She's hurting enough as it is right now. Got a lot on her mind. Add finding out you're alive, her head will be everywhere but here. It could get her killed, you hear me?"

⠀⠀⠀"I—" Cal began, wanting to protect, but he understood where Rick was coming from.

⠀⠀⠀"Put your hood up, keep to the back and try not to let her notice you," Rick ordered him. He lifted his head, pointing his chin out, then patted Cal on the shoulder. "You'll get your reunion soon enough. Now, just keep your head in this and not with her."

⠀⠀⠀Cal nodded and followed Rick's instructions. They left the building, and Daryl worked to keep the townsfolk out of the way until Bianca was safe. Then Hershel's daughter, Glenn, and Rick made it out after them.

⠀⠀⠀Rick was screaming for them to move, but too many people were shooting at them. They had stuck it out too long, and they were caught.

⠀⠀⠀As Cal had a bag put over his head and was dragged through town, he couldn't help but think maybe he and Bianca would never get their reunion. This is where it would end, just as the Governor had always planned.

⠀⠀⠀The bag was removed from Cal's head. His eyes squinted, and a collective gasp from the crowd of distressed townsfolk rang in his ears. Beside him, the Governor paced in front of them, lamenting over the deceit running through his corrupted town.

⠀⠀⠀"Cal, the man I thought was my friend, my brother, since the beginning of this town's birth," the Governor cried, a patch now resting over one of his eyes. Cal let a smirk slip assuming Michonne had gotten to him. "If I could not trust anyone, I would like to think I could still trust him. However, he lied, betrayed all of us like Merle! Brought the terrorists through our walls, led them through, and killed our own. He is no longer one of us; he is one of them!"

⠀⠀⠀The guards dragged Daryl out next, who wrestled with them until he was forced to stop.

⠀⠀⠀"Here is one of the terrorists that Cal brought into our home!" the Governor exclaimed, and the bag from Daryl's head was pulled away. "Merle's own brother. What should we do with them, huh?"

⠀⠀⠀"Kill them!" the crowd crowed back.

⠀⠀⠀"What? What'd you want?" the Governor asked.

⠀⠀⠀"Kill them! Kill them!"

AUTHOR'S NOTE —

I'm here, sitting in my own, sipping happily on my vanilla latte. I watch a stream on my TV as I wait happily for the comments to pour in. The slow realization that Cal and Bianca have once again been so close and yet so far. I laugh. I laugh at your gullibleness that I would allow you relief yet. You've been here for thirty-three chapters, I have you where I want you. I make a fool of you once again. You are questioning your life, wondering why you've allowed an author to drag you through this much pain. You think to stop reading, but you've come this far and know that they will reunite soon. If you give up now, you'll never see the reunion. So, you stay, cursing at me for doing this once again but I continue to laugh knowing their reunion is right around the corner (i.e. the next chapter).

SONG: Through Glass by Stone Sour

Thank you for reading! Please leave a comment if you'd like. However, this is an all kind of reader safe space. So even if you ghost read or comment every chapter, I hope you know it means the world to me that you've come into this fic ♡ I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and until the next one.