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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The cell was colder than she expect. Days have gone by since Negan left her in here, she had lost track of time. Concrete pressed against Tessa's back as she sat curled in the corner, knees hugged tight to her chest. Somewhere deep in the halls, the hum of generators thrummed like a heartbeat, steady and merciless. Every so often she swore she still heard it, Negan damned whistle, faint but clawing at her ears
She tried to push it away, tried not to think about Daryl being dragged off, bruised and silent. If she focused on anything, it was the thought of getting out, of not letting this place crush her.
That was when the door creaked open.
A shadow fell across the floor.
David, a savior, stepped inside, the same one who jeered at her during the yard ambush. His grin was wolfish and the stink of sweat and alcohol was thick around him.
"Still in here huh," he sneered, shutting the door behind him, "guess you ain't so special after all."
Tessa forced herself to her feet, shoulders squared through her body trembling with exhaustion. "Get out."
He laughed, stepping closer, "or what? You'll scratch me? Hit me? I bet you'll scream real nice."
Her back hit the wall as he grabbed her arm. She shoved at him, but her strength was gone after days of confinement. He pressed her harder against the concrete, breath hot against her face.
"I love when they fight."
Before she could scream, another voice cut through the cell .
"hey!" Negan's shouts as he bangs Lucille against the doorframe, making Davey jump up.
"What the hell are you doing in here?"
"Sir- I was just-"
"Do you really think I need you to answer that? You were trying to hurt her weren't you? See hurting women here is against the rules. That is unexceptional behavior. I wouldn't want to be somewhere it was," Tessa looked up at Negan, surprised at his reaction.
"Sir- I'm...I'm sorry sir," the savior said in barely a whisper.
In a flash Negan drove a knife into the saviors neck. The sound was wet, choking. The mans eyes bulged, hands clutching at the wound as blood poured down his check. Negan leaned in, almost whispering against his ears as he shoved him.
"You know what? I do not accept your apology." The body slumped, twitching once more before going still. Negan wiped the blade on the dead man's vest and straightened, rolling his shoulders.
Tessa stomach churned, but she forced herself not to look away.
The cell was silent again.
Negan turned, his grin snapping back into place as he looked at Tessa. He crouched low, eyes locked on hers.
"Well sweetheart," he murmured, almost playful, "Seems you got a knack for stirring up all kinds of trouble. Can't take my eyes off you not even for a goddam second, huh?"
Tessa pressed herself back against the wall, her chest still heaving, "I don't need your help."
Negan chuckled softly tilting his head, "Thats the thing doll, you do, cause like it or not, this world is full of assholes worse than me," he leaned closer voice dropping until it was almost intimate, "lucky for you...I like keeping my toys in one piece."
Tessa stay silent, not knowing what to say.
Negan chucked at her defeat. "I gotta say sweetheart, three days locked up in this box and look at you, still standing. Still glaring at me like you're ready to take my head off. Gotta say..." he let out a low whistle, "Im a little turned on by that."
"Why keep me here at all?"
"Because you broke the rules. I wanted to see if you'd break. Spoiler alert, you didn't. You got bite, sweetheart and that...," he tilted his head, grinning wider," that gets my attention."
Tessa swallowed hard, her throat dry as sand. She forced the words out, "Daryl..."
"Ah there is it. I knew you had it sitting right there on the tip of your tongue, just waiting to tumble out."
Her fists clenched around her sides. "Is he alive?"
Negan let out a low chuckle. "Alive? Oh he's alive. He's in one piece...well mostly. Got himself a cozy little cell, real minimalist vibes."
"If you hurt him."
"If I hurt him? Darling, that ship has already sailed, crashed, and sunk to the bottom of the goddam ocean. But don't worry, he's tougher than he looks. He's still breathing, still growling, still giving me those puppy dog eyes, like he wants to bite my throat out. Cute, right?
His grin twisted, dangerous now. "And if the plays ball. If he learns the way, he might get himself a bed. If not..." he shrugged causal, "...well I can put him down like a mangy mutt he is. Wouldn't lose sleep over it."
Tessa breath hitched, anger and fear mixing in her chest.
Negan leaned against the frame, gesturing grandly with Lucille. "So. here's the deal. you can keep rotting in here, staring at the same four walls until you're begging me for scrapes...or you can walk your pretty little ass out that door and make yourself useful."
His grin sharpened, "choice is yours, doll. But let's be real, we both know you're coming with me."
