hunting a savior | negan

two [returned.]

There was a beep of a walkie talkie, the scratch of its interference.

"Wake up the doctor and tell him to meet us at the door with a wheelchair."

"Yes sir, anything else?"

"Unlock room 108. Send in a cleaner just to dust and sweep. Do not move a thing."

A pause.

"Also, have the cook on standby," Negan breathed. He felt butterflies as he saw a familiar sign on the road that read:

ACME METAL FACTORY 4MILES.

"See you soon, Sir."

Negan shut off his walkie, wanting the silence to himself.

Ness's head was resting in his lap, her eyes were still shut but she could hear all that was happening around her.

The road they drove on was smooth and it was dark. Besides from a small red glow from a car ahead of them, it was pitch black in the truck. She could smell whatever musky scent Negan had patted on himself before, and a sense of familiarity flushed her.

Her back grew gentle chills and she slightly moved, adjusting her hips to the shape of the seat. Negan looked down and gently stroked her hair behind her ear. He sighed.

Negan's eyes seemed to widen as he slowly started to realize that her sleeping figure was no illusion. Vanessa was there, right in front of him. He ran one hand down his face and looked back out the window.

All the memories that he's ever created with her flooded his mind. He held his hand to his mouth.

He remembered when she first found him, alone and bitter. Her head was held real high, the pure glare from her dark eyes would force anyone to scurry away in fear. He remembered the first time they had truly fought, and the first time they had fought for each other.

But just like glass, their trust in each other began to shatter as he grew in power. It came between them. One thing he always knew about her was that she was no ruthless killer.

"Life is rare now, Negan," she'd always tell him, "We have to preserve it."

He in fact believed brutal punishment in this world was imminent, death was the ruler of the land so, let it be the judge. Vanessa believed the opposite. She always wanted peace, and always fought for life. Their disagreements were almost always at large, but it never stopped them from growing close.

A small bump in the road was hit and Ness squirmed a little.

She licked her lips and breathed in deeply, her eyes squinting open. The red taillights were bright. She raised her hand to block them, turning a little more.

"Easy, easy," Negan said softly. He breathed his words, sending comfort with them. She turned upwards, to see him smirking down at her. She pushed on her palms, bringing herself to a sitting position.

"We're on our way home, don't worry."

He ran his hand over her hair, then to her shoulder.

Again, she felt the familiarity of his broken voice and the gentleness of his words. She slightly leaned in, his arm coming in around her. She looked down at her hands as he pulled her close, her head now resting on his chest. They were stained red.

The Sanctuary was the last place she wanted to be, and also the first. She knew she'd heal quickly there. All of the items she had collected over the years were there too. But, even with all that, there was still a sense of dread. Going there meant having to live under Negan's rule again. She wasn't sure if she was ready for that.