In a world ruled by fear, survival comes with a price.
When her brother's attempt to overthrow the Saviors fails, Tessa finds herself under Negan's watchful eye-protected, controlled, and dangerously close to the man she should hate. As violence, po...
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Tessa's scream tore from her throat as the bat came down beside her.
Abraham—her second brother in all but blood—took the blow and somehow stayed upright. That defiance, that refusal to fall, shattered something inside her. Her entire body trembled as tears spilled hot down her face, salt burning her lips.
She lurched forward, desperate to throw herself between him and Negan, but Michonne caught her by the shoulders, gripping her tight and holding her back.
"Oh, look at that! Taking it like a champ!"
All Tessa wanted was to claw that smile off his face.
Abraham spat his last words through blood and broken breath. "Suck... my nuts."
The second swing caved him in.
Tessa's sobs choked in her throat as she squeezed her eyes shut against the sound—repeated, sickening cracks that echoed far too loudly. But Negan's voice carried over every strike.
"Did you hear that? He said suck my nuts!"
She couldn't look down. Couldn't face what was left of her friend. Instead, she turned toward Rick, who for the first time sat frozen—defeated, hollow, just as broken as she felt. She pinched her arm hard, nails digging into her skin, praying she would wake up from this nightmare.
Negan swung Lucille again, sending blood arcing through the air. Drops landed hot against Tessa's cheek. She flinched.
"Oh my goodness, would you look at this!" Negan laughed. "Look at my dirty girl."
He swung again, spattering more blood, thick streaks dragging across Tessa's face.
Her stomach twisted violently. She wanted to vomit, but there was nowhere to go. No escape.
Negan sauntered toward her, twirling Lucille with casual ease.
"Sweetheart, lay your eyes on this. C'mon, don't be shy." He tilted his head, studying her. "Oh damn, were you... were you two together? I was getting a bit jealous! Oh well, that sucks. But if you were, you should know—there was a reason for all this. Red—hell, red is, was, and will forever be red. He just took one... or six... or seven for the team! So take a damn look. Take a damn look!"
Before anyone could react, Daryl surged to his feet.
His fist connected with Negan's jaw, snapping his head to the side.
Gasps erupted as Daryl was instantly tackled to the dirt, a gun jammed hard against his head.
Negan staggered back, then laughed—loud and unrestrained—as he wiped blood from his mouth.
"No! Oh no... that—oh my. That is a no-no. The whole thing. Not one bit of that shit flies here."
He crouched down, gripping Daryl's hair and yanking his head up.
"You want me to do it? Right here? Right now?"
One of the Saviors sneered, pressing the barrel harder.
Negan shook his head slowly, smirking down at Daryl. "No. You don't kill that. Not yet. Not until you try a little."
