This Is How I Disappear (Negan/OFC)

Chapter 24

Negan rushes Chuck up to his room, all the while whispering reassurances in her ear. Simon follows behind, then Carson even further behind him. Chuck is vaguely aware of traversing the hallways. Of the gasps of the people they pass along the way. Of the cool air on her bare legs. Of the voices coming through Negan's radio.

When they reach the upper floor, Simon jog further ahead to open the door to Negan's room, allowing the group to pass through.

"Simon," Negan calls out as he sets Chuck on his bed and covers her with his sheet. "Keep fuckin' tabs on what the guys are doing outside the gates. I want that motherfucker found right. fuckin'. now."

Simon turns his head to look at Chuck. "Uh..." He looks back up to Negan. "I want to stay here with her."

"Simon, I need you fuckin' outside right the fuck now," Negan growls out. "I need you to keep them on task. To keep them focused on finding that fucker."

"Yeah. Okay," Simon replies almost meekly as he turns away.

Carson steps aside to allow Simon to exit the door before coming closer to the bed. "Charlotte-"

"I'm fine," she rasps. "I'm not hurt." The only thing she wants right now is to be alone, not deal with people poking and prodding her. She takes Negan's jacket sets it on the bed beside her. Negan picks it up off the bed and haphazardly throws it on the floor.

"Let the doc look at you, baby girl, please," Negan pleads as he moves to the foot of the bed.

Negan looks so concerned that Chuck feels the need to comply. She takes a few deep breaths to steady herself before speaking. "It's just my throat and face," she gives a little cough. Her throat is raw which causes the words to stick. "He hit me and choked me. He slammed me to the ground, too. I hit my head a little. I might have a concussion. I'm nauseous." She keeps her tone even and unemotional, relaying just the pertinent information. "I threw up in the trailer."

Carson uses his pen light to examine her pupils. "Normal." He lightly touches her heavily bruised cheekbone and jaw and the back of her head, drawing out a slight hiss from her. "No breaks. Headache?" It seems like he is purposely being cold, as if he were trying to keep his own emotions at bay. Chuck always thought that Carson only saw her as a coworker, but maybe he actually cares for her more as a friend.

"Uh. Yeah. My head hurts."

"Maybe a mild concussion." He moves to examine her throat, which is sporting a bruise almost the whole way around her neck. "Swallow," he commands with his palm gently on her neck. He feels her swallow and removes his hand. He uses his light to look into her throat, as well. "Your throat and neck may be sore, but I don't suspect anything seriously wrong." He stands up and turns his head to Negan then back to Chuck. "The, uh, pelvic exam-"

"It's not necessary," Chuck interrupts.

"Baby girl..." Negan implores.

"I'm not- He couldn't... He didn't..." Tears well up in her eyes as she tries to say what happened. "He tried but he couldn't do it."

"You can tell us, Charlotte," Carson reassures. "You don't need to be embarrassed."

Chuck wipes her eyes and opens her mouth to respond further, but Negan interrupts.

"Carson, why don't you go back downstairs. I'll call you if we fuckin' need you," Negan says to the man as he walks around the bed.

"Alright," Carson hesitantly agrees turns to leave the bedroom. "If you need anything, Charlotte, you can call on me." He gives her a friendly smile and leaves.