Fallen Angel (Daryl Dixon)

The Tree

Negan left me alone for a few more days before he had me pulled out again. This time, it was in the middle of the sanctuary grounds. Negan wanted to make an example out of me. I stood in front of him as he stared into me with undefined anger. The moment was so intense that I feared that this would be my last day. There was also an immense feeling of relief that my time here was finally over.

He broke his stance and paced the ground in front of me. Watching him, I could tell he was trying not to lose his humanity by ending my life.

This went on for some time. The air was hot, and the sun burned my pale skin. Sweat poured down my face, soaking my hair and clothes. When he finally spoke, his voice was stern, "You know what I have to do, don't you?"

If he thought I was going to beg for my life, he was wrong.

"Do what you have to, but I will never conform to your crazy notion of us."

His face changed several expressions until I saw the grin he hid behind when something bad was about to happen.

He came close and stared deep into my eyes, "Wow, okay, Leah, have it your way. It could have been so good for you here."

Then he unleashed his rage for all to see. I took a swing at him before he could make his first move. I wasn't going down without a fight this time or at least trying to protect myself. Pain ran through my hand and up into my arm the moment I connected to his face.

He stood in shock for a moment.

"Holy shit, did you guys see that? There's that feisty girl I met a long time ago." He rubbed his chin and shook his head.

How could I fight this man?

I ran through so many scenarios in my mind in that split second before my head went spinning. I fell onto the hard ground with the gravel cutting my face. Negan had never beaten a woman as he had me. I could see as I slowly raised my body up. He was confused. Most women gave him to him he had never met anyone who would reject his offers. He was evil, but somethings he promised himself he wouldn't do, and this was one of them, but he had never been pushed this far.

He ran his hands through his jet-black hair and then walked back over to me. Another hit and blood ran down my face slowly dropping to the ground. The pain was unbearable.

"Boss," I could see Dwight running up even though my vision was blurred.

"What," Negan straightened up to face Dwight. He came up with an excuse to steer Negan away from his torture session.

"We have a delivery from Alexandria. Thought maybe you would want to come and approve it."

Negan looked down at his handy work, then back at Dwight, and smirked, "Oh yes, Rick...."
He had been so busy with me that he hadn't paid Rick and his group a visit in weeks.

"Simon," Negan yelled across the group of men that had circled around.

Simon ran up in front, "Yeah."

"Take my girl back to her room."

Simon grabbed me by the back of the shirt to get me to my feet, "Come on, let's go."

I struggled to balance my legs. My head felt like it would roll off my shoulders and fall to the ground. Simon held me against his body as I tried to walk with him.

Negan was on his way with Dwight when he paused and turned, looking at my pathetic appearance.

He rubbed his forehead, "On the other hand, take her down to the lake and clean her up."

Simon switched directions and dragged me to the lake.

"Get undressed," Simon pushed me towards the water, yelling at me, "NOW."