Within

forty one

The van jolted to a stop, and the heavy metal doors creaked open. Ariana, bound and gagged, was roughly yanked out by the Saviours. The cool evening air cut through the heat of the van, and her heart pounded wildly as she was dragged through the Sanctuary's gates.

Shadows from the setting sun stretched long across the compound, turning the familiar surroundings into a distorted landscape of fear and uncertainty.

Her eyes darted around frantically, trying to absorb the sights and sounds around her, but her head was forced down as she was led toward a grim-looking building on the edge of the compound. The Saviours' grips were firm and unyielding, making it clear that resistance was futile.

They brought her to a metal door and shoved her roughly inside. The cell was dimly lit, the flickering light casting erratic shadows on the cold, concrete walls. Ariana stumbled and fell to the floor, her bound hands scraping against the rough surface. She tried to adjust to the darkness, but the tight gag muffled her cries and the restraints limited her movement.

A few moments later, one of the Saviours, a burly man with a scarred face, leaned in through the bars. His expression was unreadable as he delivered his message.

"Negan's gonna want to see you soon. He's got some things to say."

With a final, dismissive glance, the Saviours turned and left, the metal door slamming shut behind them with a resonating clang. Ariana was left alone in the cell, the sound of the door echoing in the small space, leaving her with nothing but her thoughts and mounting anxiety.

Her mind raced with the harsh reality of her situation. Bound and gagged, her only comfort was the faint hope that Negan's meeting with her might not be as cruel as the last. But the weight of his earlier words still lingered heavily on her heart. The cell was cold, the concrete floor hard against her aching body, and the fear of what was to come gnawed at her.

She struggled against her restraints, trying to loosen the ropes, but every movement only seemed to tighten them further. The silence of the cell was oppressive, broken only by the distant sounds of the Sanctuary, the low hum of machinery, the occasional shout of a Saviour, and the ever-present, looming uncertainty of Negan's imminent arrival.

Minutes dragged by like hours as she waited in the darkness, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. The flicker of the overhead light cast eerie shadows around the cell, making her feel like she was trapped in a nightmarish dream. The echoes of the Saviors' words repeated in her mind: Negan would see her soon.

The anticipation of his arrival was almost as painful as the physical discomfort of her restraints. She could only imagine what awaited her, her thoughts a tumultuous storm of fear, regret, and a desperate hope for some semblance of understanding or reprieve from the man who had so deeply affected her life.

As she waited, the realization dawned on her that there was no escaping the confrontation that was coming. All she could do was brace herself for whatever Negan had in store, hoping against hope that somehow, the meeting would bring clarity or some form of resolution.

The cell door creaked open again, and Ariana's heart leaped with a mixture of hope and dread. This time, however, the figure that entered was not Negan. Instead, Eugene shuffled into the cell, his eyes peering with a mixture of curiosity and pity. He carried a small, tin tray with a meager portion of food and a canteen of water. The sight of him, familiar yet unexpectedly out of place, brought a tad relief.

Eugene placed the tray on the floor, his gaze lingering on Ariana. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to see him through the dim light. The gag was still firmly in place, making it impossible for her to speak, but her eyes were wide with questions.

Eugene crouched beside her, his face etched with a blend of concern and solemnity.

"I've been asked to bring you a bit of sustenance." He said quietly, his voice almost tender. "I know this is hardly a feast, but it's something."

Ariana's eyes conveyed her gratitude and desperation. Eugene's presence was a small comfort in the bleakness of her situation. He looked around to ensure no one was listening and leaned in closer.

"I'm afraid it's not a pleasant time." Eugene continued, lowering his voice. "Negan will see you shortly. But, there's something else you should know. Sasha is here too, though her situation is rather dire. She's been confined to a cell as well... seems she made quite an impression trying to break in, gunned down a few of Negan's men."

Ariana's eyes widened in alarm. She hadn't expected Sasha to be here, and the mention of her name brought a fresh wave of guilt and anxiety.

Eugene's words were a mixed blessing; the knowledge that Sasha was nearby offered a sliver of solidarity but also underscored the gravity of their shared predicament.

Eugene's gaze softened with a note of empathy. "Sasha's situation is... complicated. She's been quite vocal about her intentions, and things haven't gone well for her. She's... not pleased to know about your current affiliations, Ariana. If you do get out, I wouldn't seek her companionship."

Ariana's heart sank. The tension between her and Sasha had been palpable, but to hear that Sasha was actively antagonistic toward her was a blow she hadn't fully prepared for.

Eugene sighed, standing up slowly. "I have to leave now. Don't think too poorly of Sasha. She's in a rough spot, and emotions are running high. We all have our crosses to bear."

Before Ariana could react, Eugene turned and started to leave the cell. She watched him go, feeling a mix of gratitude and sadness. As the door closed behind him, she was left alone once more, the dim light casting long shadows over her weary form.

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the distant murmur of voices and the ever-present hum of machinery. Ariana tried to gather her thoughts, her mind racing with the implications of Eugene's visit. The knowledge that Sasha was close but upset with her added another layer of stress to her already overwhelming situation.

The fear of the unknown loomed large, and she could only brace herself for the confrontation ahead, hoping for a chance to make things right, or at the very least, to find some measure of understanding amidst the chaos.