THICK SKULL , twd [ 1 ]

10. like....weed?

tw: sexual assault, sexual abuse (nothing graphic)

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         A WATER BOTTLE IS tossed at Sadie's feet as the door opens. As thirsty as she is, she hesitates, waiting for Merle to emerge.

                   "Quit playing games, Merle," Sadie says, dehydrated and impatient. Then, he walks in with his signature evil grin. "I told ya I'd bring water," Merle says like this is a favor for her. Like he hasn't kidnapped her in her own home. Sadie bends down, eyes never leaving Merle in case he tries something. "You poison this?" She asks, dangling the drink away from her.

            "Nah. That'd be too suspicious," Merle circles her like prey as she dares to sip from the bottle. Water brings her a bit more to life, recharging her with every sip. "Does he know?" Sadie asks. She's fearful of what she saw but Sadie is also fearful of what he'll think of her now. The closest thing she's had to a protector in years. "Yeah," Merle replies, "He's busy though. Said I should talk to you."

                   "I don't wanna talk to you."

                   Merle gets in her face, "That's too damn bad. Unless you'd rather go crazy down here and start talking' to the shadows. I'm your only choice," Merle spreads his arms but never inches away from her face. Show no fear. That's what men thrive on. That's what he wants. To ruin her until she's a puppet and stops tugging at the strings that manipulate her.

                Sadie holds her head up. She hasn't slept. Her bones hurt but she won't die here.

            "What do you wanna talk about?" She asks him and he finally backs up, body hitting the wall. Merle smirks, sizing her up, or maybe being a gross man. Sadie convinces herself of the first one or else she might lose her shit. "You can't tell anyone what you saw. That's his private business. His problem," Merle says.

          "He lied. He said those people left—"

          "They were loose cannons. They were bound to destroy the place you call home. Why the hell would you want that, Sadie? When I was a kid, I begged for a place like this. A home. My own bed that wasn't infested wit' bugs. You're takin' it for granted, little miss," Merle tuts, shaking his head and then stops in front of her, "You wanna lose that all because you could keep your pretty mouth shut?"

                  A hand grabs her jaw but not roughly, just enough to keep in her place. "It's wrong, Merle. You have to know it's wrong to keep people's heads in tanks as a display," Sadie sasses. Merle sighs loudly, rolling his head around his shoulders. "I told you! We all cope differently!" Merle exclaims, roughly letting her go, "Are you gonna blab your damn mouth or not?"