Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
–
Lemonade. It almost took her mind off of the events occurring just outside the walls of her old Alexandria home, where Carl and Negan sat on the porch. Now she was sat at the dining room table, glass of lemonade between her fingers, Olivia sat parallel to her. It had been silent for almost five minutes before the frightened girl spoke up.
"Are you okay?" she asked, gazing sympathetically at the frail girl. Vada's eyes flickered upward, gently placing her lips to the brim of the glass.
"Fine," she mumbled. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she quickly stood up and emptied her glass into the sink. She propped herself over it, watching as the liquid trickled down the drain.
"You don't sound fine," Olivia murmured, pushing her seat in. Vada shut her eyes, rubbing the palms of her hands over her lids.
"I'll be fine. Just fine," she reassured, giving an unconvincing smile. Olivia nodded her head the slightest bit, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"You're strong." And then she ambled off. Vada stood, unmoving, her lips parted. She didn't feel so strong. It seemed as if she'd gone into Negan's care fearless and come out broken. But maybe that was just the knot in her stomach that wouldn't budge. The one that told her Negan didn't have much mercy left in him.
She hadn't heard the screen door shut. Her back was to the entryway as she stood over the sink, pouring another glass of lemonade. She placed it to her lips, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her hands beginning to tremble again.
A body was against hers. A warm, leather covered body was pushed against her back, the callus hand reaching out and snatching the glass from her fingertips. She felt the side of his rough stubble over her ear as he brought the glass to his lips, taking a slow slurp, then slammed it down on the counter. She jumped, gripping the side of the sink, her knuckles turning white.
"I gave you sanctuary," he grumbled. Suddenly, the rest of her body shook along with her hands. Negan backed away, his steps thunderous as he approached the stove, leaning over the top of it, his fingers rubbing his temple. His eyes were shut as he took a deep breath, sighing through his pursed lips. "I gave you safety."
She remembered what her father had told her one evening as she weakly spoke the few words. "There's no such thing as safety."
Negan opened his eyes, his stare challenging the small girl. "Are you doubting my methods?"
She twisted her jaw, tilting her head away. "No. Yours is one of the safest places out there," her eyes flickered up to meet his, gazing from underneath her eyelashes, "but nowhere is safe anymore."
He propped Lucille against the stove, approaching the girl slowly. His hands went to either side of the counter's edge, trapping her in place as he gazed down at her, his stare ice cold. "I don't care what the hell you think is safe, sweetheart," he clenched his jaw, jerking his head, "it's a hell of a lot safer than being out in the woods at night, no weapons, no map." He shook his head, biting his lip in vexation.
