Cherokee Rose (Walking Dead fanfiction)

Scars

  Raven pressed her forehead to the coolness of the wood trying to catch a glimpse of the outside world. Every once in awhile she would catch a leaf or a bird fluttering by but that was about it. The boards were thick and close together over the windows letting very little else in. Raven sighed and ran her finger over the mark she had made in the wood.

57 marks.

She had been there 57 days.

She had been told that Daryl was dead. She hadn't believed it then....but now....Raven sighed and began her daily ritual thinking back to her first days here.

She had walked around the trees and saw a man standing there waiting to grab her. Panicking, she ran back towards Daryl but it was too late as she watched the other guy bring a rock down on his head. Blood was everywhere...and the look on his face...she couldn't do anything but scream. They had put a cloth over her mouth and nose and without warning she wasn't conscious anymore. After coming to, she found herself waking up upside down while she was being carried over someone's shoulder. She tried to move but her feet and hands were tied and she was gagged.....it was no use. This guys' meaty paws were huge and he had a death grip on her, she knew there would be no getting out of his grasp.

Raven watched as her Mala beads around her neck bounced off the man's back. She knew that if there was any chance of her getting out of this or back home she would have to try and leave a trail. Raven moved her head slowly, working the beads around until they slipped off her neck and hit the ground. Saying a prayer that someone would find them and figure out which way they were going.

Once they were at the mouth of the forest, they tied her to a flat board, then hoisted her on their shoulders. Raven watched in horror as they covered their tracks the entire way up. These guys were expert trackers and knew exactly how not to be found. They stopped at what looked like a pile of dirt covered in moss but it turned out to be an actual cabin. It was so well camouflaged she doubted anyone would notice even if they were trying to find her.

The men then took her inside and placed the board on the ground then began to untie her. Jerking her to her feet they then began cutting off her clothes, stripping her down eventually to nothing but her panties and bra. She rubbed her chaffed wrists as they were now finally free along with her legs. She flinched as she felt one of them clamp a metal collar around her neck with a heavy chain that pulled at her from the floor. She was so confused....she didn't have a clue who these men were! Why her? Why Daryl?

Then Gregory stepped from the shadows.

"There's my girl" he smiled.

Raven could feel the bile rising from her stomach to her throat.

"Gentlemen, if you would give us a little privacy please..."

The men nodded and walked back through the closing it quietly behind them.
Gregory walked over and took the gag from her mouth.

"There my dear. I do want you to be comfortable."

"He's going to kill you when he finds me Gregory"

"Who? Daryl? I'm sorry my love, but Daryl is dead."

Raven had felt a sharp stab in her heart but she refused to believe it.

"No, he definitely won't be looking for you....Rick? Perhaps but I've gone to great lengths to make sure nobody can find you. You are mine now and you're going to have to accept that."
Raven glared at him then began looking around to find something...anything to bash his skull in with.

"Don't get any ideas my sweet. If you try to harm me, I will have your horse slaughtered. I killed your lover, do you really think I won't do the same to your horse? Don't try my patience my dear...you will not win."

Raven blinked. She could feel cold fear grip her heart

"That's what I thought" he smiled. "OK...first thing is first. Your bathroom is in here. It's actually nothing but a glorified hole in the ground or an indoor outhouse, but it should do. Here are your food and water. Go easy on it, I can't be bringing up supplies all the time so rationing should be practiced. If you consume it all on purpose ...well then you'll go hungry and your horse will die. Here's your firewood and same thing, portion control is prudent. There's a barrel to wash and a toothbrush. Your bed is there and I think that's about it. If you're a good girl I'll think about bringing some books or something up here."

Raven stood there staring at the bed not knowing if this was some sort of dream that she was trapped in. Telling herself to wake up over and over again she heard his voice.

"Now for the fun part. You were very bad in leaving me Raven, especially for that redneck. That's over now but you still must face your punishment. Turn and stare at the far wall Raven."
Raven stared at him.

"I will not say it again. Turn. Now."

Raven turned slowly and faced the wall.

"On your knees"

She hesitated...God please if this is a dream please let me wake up now.

"Raven"

Raven knelt down with her heart hammering in her chest. She heard something like a bag unzip, some rustling and then tossed to the floor. A shiver went up her spine as he began tracing it with something that felt like a leather. With a loud crack she jumped as the leather bit into her skin.

"I do find this punishment quite appropriate you know...being horse whipped...given you completely used me for that stupid horse. "

Another loud crack and the leather bit deeper. She was doing everything not to cry out...she knew that's what he wanted and would do everything not to give it to him. Another loud crack and she couldn't help it, she whimpered which was a mistake. The strikes then became harder and Raven could feel her blood begin to ooze down her back. She then heard Gregory as he began to pleasure himself, hitting her harder and harder as he became more excited. Not being able to take anymore she cried out, as did he while reaching his climax. Raven was violently shaking and was barely aware he had put the horse whip away.

"I have to leave you now Raven, be a good girl. That was wonderful, I think I just might bring you something very special the next time I visit. Bye for now my love" and he kissed her on top of the head and left, bolting the door from the outside.

Raven's back was on fire and she couldn't help it as she became violently sick all over the floor. Curling up into a ball, she lay on her side sobbing uncontrollably. Her entire body was wracked with pain and grief until finally she was blessed with unconsciousness. She woke up some time later and was shivering feeling the cold and dampness of the cabin that surrounded her. Feeling her way along the wood floor in total darkness she felt the wood pile and then the matches, striking one. A small pile of paper was by the iron stove. Raven filled it with paper and sticks and started a small fire. Throwing on a log, she looked around the room again looking for any way to escape. There was a small window near the ceiling but with her collar and chain fastened to the floor, she would never be able to reach it. Laying on her side on the bed she stared into the fire feeling her back burn like fire ants were biting it all over. She didn't feel anymore blood dripping which she guessed was a blessing but the pain was so great she didn't want to move. Taking a stick rubbing it against the cabin wall, she was able to make a small mark.

That had been just her first night here and she had now 57 Of them.

Gregory's visits came about every two weeks. Each time he came was worse than the last. He would laugh at her scabbed fingers that had tried prying off the metal collar. He once pulled out a medieval looking key and said it was the only way the collar would come off. He had put it back in his coat's breast pocket with a smile, giving it a pat. His special surprises were always a new and different whip he brought as he took great pleasure ripping open her healing back. He hadn't raped her yet but she knew it would be soon. He had even went as far as ejaculating once on her bleeding back. Suicidal thoughts began plaguing her mind and she even went as far as finding a spot to hang herself by her chain and collar but a small voice in the back of her mind kept nagging at her. Gregory was a liar. What if he was lying about Daryl? What if Daryl was out there looking for her? She remembered what Rick had told her about him losing someone he loved to suicide and it had destroyed him. If there was even a tiny ray of chance, she couldn't do that to him. She then began thinking about what Michonne had said. "Daryl won't always be there to save you. Sometimes you have to save yourself." that's when her plan had begun.

It started by accident really. She had been brushing her teeth and had accidentally poked herself with a sharp place on the hard plastic handle. She looked at it, turning it over in her hand. She began rubbing it at an angle on the metal of her bed. Soon one side was smooth and sloped she started on the other side...For the rest of the day Raven filed her toothbrush, finally able to make a point at the end of it. She knew it wasn't enough to kill Gregory yet but it was a start.
Every day since then she had worked on her makeshift spear. She had also been thinking how she could try to make a signal with the smoke from the fire but nothing she had tried worked. Sitting on the bed working on the spike Raven's hand slipped, ripping a hole in the mattress. Picking the fluff off of the pointy end and tossing it in the fire, Raven was stunned as a black cloud of smoke bloomed and traveled straight up the chimney. She began pulling the stuffing out immediately tossing it in the fire while watching the black smoke roll upwards. Please, if someone is out there looking for me, please let them see this.

Daryl propped himself on his elbow staring into his small fire. This was Sophia all over again. He had been all over this mountain for almost two months now and he was no closer in finding her today than he was on day one. Every once in awhile he catch a trail but it would grow cold within the hour. Lately he had been having thoughts about returning to Alexandria and try to regroup but he just couldn't. He couldn't give up looking...just like with Sophia. Laying back, staring at the softening evening sky he watched as a wisp of black smoke traveled above him. After a moment another followed. Jumping to his feet he found the nearest tree and began climbing it as fast as he could. Once he was up far enough he waited...and waited..."C'mon man...just one break...please". Black smoke wafted through the air about a mile away east of him. "Hold on Raven, I'm on my way" he whispered.

Raven sat on her bed staring into the fire. She had stopped putting the fluff in. She had used almost a quarter of the top of her bed, any more and Gregory might notice. She would definitely try it again but that was it for the night. Working more on her shiv, she had to be a little proud. It looked like something you would stab a vampire with. Long and pointy but thinner than a regular steak, it could definitely do some damage. She heard footsteps on the porch and her anxiety rocketed. It had only been a week since his last visit and didn't think he would be back so soon. The door unbolted and Gregory walked in. Raven slipped her weapon under her mattress and stood.

"Raven, why was there black smoke coming from this place?"

Dammit she thought.

"I don't know Gregory. I just put a log on, maybe it had some moss or something on it"

He knew she was lying. Gregory smiled.

OK if you want to okay this game, let's play! Kneel"

Raven slipped the steak out and kept it even with her arm. With the darkness of the room she was praying he didn't see it. Yielding his whip she felt the usual sting of the leather. She knew she would have to endure it for a little while to get him where she needed him to be. She began to cry out, knowing it excited him more and then heard the familiar sound of his pants hitting the floor. Without warning Raven spun, grabbing the whip. Stunned and in a vulnerable position it was too late before he realized what she was doing. Taking her dagger she drove it up inside his testicles, he screamed bending over. Quickly pulling the dagger out she then shoved it deep into his throat. Gregory fell to the floor and she could hear him gargling blood. He wasn't dead. Straddling him she began stabbing him over and over in the eyes, throat and chest until she was soaked in his blood and he was no longer moving. She screamed...but not a woman's scream...it was a warrior's scream . He was dead, the monster was dead and she was glad. She knew she would still have to deal with his thugs outside but for now she would be free. Fishing the key out of his blood soaked pocket she put it in the side of her collar and turned. It clanged to the ground by her feet. Relief swept through her as tears began to threaten. She still had work to do, she needed to focus.

Daryl ran faster hearing her scream, his legs couldn't get him there fast enough. Coming to a sudden halt he noticed two hulking figures standing guard outside a dirt pile? Looking closer Daryl could see a slight glow coming from behind the moss. She was in there. Aiming for the first guy his arrow found its target. The other guy yelled and ran to his friend, Daryl's other arrow found its target. Checking for anyone else, Daryl creeped towards the makeshift cave. He had probably been past here ten times and never noticed it.

Raven yanked and pulled Gregory's coat off and wrapped it around herself. It was damp with his blood and she had no shoes but she didn't care. She was getting out of here now. Trying to surprise his thugs and get a running start hoping the night would hide her, she opened the door, dropping her dagger to the ground.

Daryl
Raven.

At once she was in his arms shaking and crying. He was alive. Holding her close she tried not to wince. The pain she felt on her back was nothing compared to how she felt in his arms. Shutting the door and easing her to the cot he surveyed the room. Looking at Gregory dead on the floor.

"You did this?"

She nodded, still not trusting herself to speak without breaking down.

"I wish it would have been me that killed him but...I'm proud of you. You did what you had to, to survive. " He kissed her softly and she smiled through her tears.

"I just need to get out of here, I can't be in this room anymore"

Daryl nodded looking her up and down.

"What are you wearing? "

Raven looked at Gregory "His coat. He took my clothes".

"No sheets or blankets in here?"

Raven shook her head.

Daryl thought..."Wait, I have some extra clothes. They'll be too big but I got some rope we can tie the waist on the pants...I don't have any shoes though..."

Raven stared at Gregory's feet. Walking over she slipped off his boots and came back to the bed. Pulling the stuffing out of the bed, she began to stuff the toes while Daryl began pulling a shirt and pants out of his bag. Having enough stuffing she tossed the extra in the fire watching the plume of black smoke. Daryl spoke softly.

"That's what you were burning...that's why I saw the black smoke"

Raven nodded. He handed her the clothes as she slipped off the coat and began to dress, making sure she kept her back away from him. He walked over to the water barrel dipped a piece he had ripped from his shirt and began wiping her face. She had forgotten that she was probably covered in his blood. Finally dressed and somewhat clean Daryl and Raven slipped out of the cabin. Raven felt the cool night air on her face and breathed deep. Daryl grabbed her hand, pulling her along.

"Its about a days hike out from here to the bottom. There's a clearing over here where we can make camp. I have a small tent so we'll have shelter until morning then we'll head back"
Raven nodded.

Finding the clearing, Daryl worked quickly setting up placing the sleeping bag in the tent. Crawling inside Raven sighed as she felt Daryl's arm encircle her with her back pressed against his chest. It hurt but it was something she didn't mind hurting for.

Daryl was worried, she hadn't said five words since he found her. He knew she was in shock and he needed to get her back to Alexandria but he couldn't risk her life traipsing through the forest at night. Every time he touched her she cringed or flinched and it was really getting to him. What had Gregory done to her? Then she spoke

"I thought you were dead"

"I'm not"

"He said you were dead, he said those men had killed you and I saw you get hit with the rock..." she trailed off.

"I'm here"

He pulled her closer to hopefully help her feel safer. She flinched again and whimpered. Taking his flashlight out he began to lift her shirt. She grabbed it, yanking it down.

"No Daryl, please"

He grabbed her hand and kissed it, putting it back in front of her. He began again lifting the shirt and Raven heard his sharp intake of breath. She couldn't help as tears spilled over her eyelids.

"I'll be right back "

Daryl slipped out into the night and after awhile Raven began to panic. I know my back looks like hamburger meat but that shouldn't be a reason to leave me she thought. Daryl slipped back into the tent with something in his hand.

"Here, lay on your belly. I got something that will help. This is a natural salve from plants that grow around here. It will sting at first but I promise it will feel better"

Raven nodded turning on her belly. She sucked in her breath as he began applying the salve. It did sting at first but slowly she began to feel some relief.

"I know how much this hurts"

His voice was wavering and Raven suddenly remembered his scars.

Letting him finish applying the salve she turned to face him as he lay back. Stroking his cheek she kissed him softly as he pulled her closer, being careful not to touch her back . Laying her head on his chest listening to his strong heart beat she finally fell asleep. Early the next morning they tore down their camp and walked down the mountain together, talking very little but not really needing to. Once they hit pavement, Raven could feel her heart lighten. Grabbing Daryl's hand, she smiled at him. Her back felt a little better and they were almost home...home...she liked that word.

Alexandria's walls finally came into view when Daryl turned to her and said

"I told Rick I would bring you home"

Raven smiled and said "You did"

Daryl shook his head " No...we did"

Smiling then not, Raven stopped, staring past Daryl.

"Oh my God...Daryl look"

As Daryl turned he too could see Alexandria's gates had been smashed through.
Staring at each other for a brief moment, they both started running towards their home...Alexandria.