This Is How I Disappear (Negan/OFC)

Chapter 46

It's the day after Halloween and Chuck is dragging her feet up the stairs to the fifth floor, her light sundress allowing the cool air of the stairwell to give her a chill. The party last night had gone on far longer than she had thought it would. Or at least, she stayed far longer than she anticipated. She figured she would cut out early like she did with every other party she's ever been to, but she actually stayed until the end because she was having so much fun.

She danced with Negan a lot. She even danced with Tonya and Frankie for a while. She ate a bunch of treats people had made for the occasion. She even told some rated r versions of the scary stories she told earlier, which people enjoyed. Then others told even more stories and it went on for much of the night. Not to mention the fact that she had to entertain Negan when they got to the privacy of their own room, of course.

All of that led Chuck to have only a few hours of sleep before she had to be in the classroom to teach the children. But Chuck doesn't mind the drowsiness. Especially because everyone had such a good time last night. Seeing the kids excited and happy, then the residents having fun, it all gave Chuck some hope for a more normal future. A future where kids could be kids and people didn't have to be scared all the time.

When Chuck opens the door to the fifth floor, she hears music coming from down the hall towards Negan's apartment. She turns to José to greet him.

"Hey, José. Is Negan playing music down there?" Chuck is confused at the thought because Negan should be working and not up here right now.

"No. It's the guys in the nursery. They play music when no one's up here. You can tell them to turn it off. Sherry usually does when she gets up here and hears them playing it."

Chuck shrugs. "It doesn't bother me. And maybe it'll motivate them to get the nursery finished sooner," she jokes with a laugh.

José chuckles. "Negan's still keeping you outta there, huh?"

"Yes," she answers with a huff. "Only a few more days, though. He promised he'd show me after we get our next ultrasound and we see the sex of the baby."

"I'm sure it's perfect." He gives her a smile. "The baby and the nursery," he clarifies in jest.

"I know they are." She smiles back. "Well. See you later," she calls out with a wave of her hand and walks into Negan's office. She proceeds on through the kitchen and to the bedroom. Once she opens the door, she immediately sees that there is a crude doorway cut out in the back wall leading to the nursery.

Oh my god! They're finished with the nursery! Well, not all the way finished because there's no doorframe or door there, but they must be done! Negan said that the last thing they'd do is cut the door out.

Should I have a peek? I don't think the guys in there heard me come in over the music they're playing. I could just peek my head in...

Chuck kicks her shoes off and takes a few slow steps toward the doorway, but jumps back when a large figure comes out to fill the space. One of the saviors working in the nursery must've heard her, she figures. He's tall, about as tall as Negan, and very muscular, with buzzed dark hair. He appears to be in his early thirties.

Chuck giggles at herself and how she got caught. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to take a peek."

Before she even has time to react, the man lunges at her, flipping her around and covering her mouth with his large hand as his other arm wraps around her to pull her back into his chest. His grip is tight enough around her that she can't move either of her arms. Chuck kicks her legs out trying to find purchase as the man lifts her.