Same Love

56: Flee

Sam sat in his cell again, throwing the balled up remains of his shirt across the room. He had heard Daryl be taken out a few hours ago but didn't hear anything else. Now, with the slither of light illuminating the cell creepily, he felt quite uneasy. Daryl had been given free roam, apparently being rather submissive apart from refusing to call himself Negan.

Carl was very scared. He'd only snuck into one of the saviour's trucks and gunned down two men only to be let go and be standing beside Negan uncomfortably. He followed the man to where his wives were, to where they branded a man across the face with an Iron and now to Negan's room. It was all grey, lavish and luxurious but cold, not comfortable. Carl took this opportunity to ask Negan about the missing man who he hadn't seen yet, who he was worried about very much.

"Where is Sam?" Carl asked, witnessing the subtle curiosity that settled on Negan's face. He ran his gloved hand over the surface of his face and stared at Carl, yellowing teeth visible in his smile.

"Your buddy Sam's not lookin' so peachy anymore Carl, Why'd 'you ask?"

"H-He's important" Carl said and Negan then changed the subject, their talking lasted for a few more moments before Negan decided to take Carl back home and pay Rick a little visit. Upon leaving Negan rolled down the window to the cargo truck to sneer at Daryl.

"You seemed worried so I'm takin' the boy back home for you"

"If you do anything to him-"

"Dwight! I think Daryl needs a little time out, take him back to his little box for a while"

Daryl was then dragged away and Negan left with Carl.

Sam was met by the jiggling of a lock as he was pulled out of his daze, light streaming into the dark room. He didn't protest at the arms that wrapped around him, hoisted him up from the ground. It was his Daryl with the door keys in his dirty, weathered hands. There was no time. They needed to escape. Dwight's voice was heard from around the corner which caused Daryl to panic and drag Sam into a room. Once inside he signalled to be quiet as he searched for food and helped Sam change into a T-shirt and some loose jeans. Sam looked rough. He had no energy, his face was hollow and his ribs beginning to protrude. His muscular build was beginning to become more slender from a lack of food and it was clear he'd been working too hard to escape. His muscles rippled under the shirt but his knuckles were bloody and his arms held bruises. Daryl found a sugary drink and a couple of jar of condiments that he started to feed to Sam who watched him in silence, complying. Daryl changed too and when the voices disappeared they made their move. Sam was not useless and was able to run now due to the sugar he had ingested. He grabbed a pipe and Daryl grabbed another as they found the exit, running out into the dusty courtyard where a collection of motorcycles lay. Fat Joey stood there just watching them. He pleaded for his life, eyes wide as he took in Sam's appearance. He'd never met Sam before and the hateful glare he was receiving would haunt him for the rest of his afterlife. Sam lunged forwards just as he heard Jesus's voice call to him and stabbed the pipe straight through the fat man's skull, continuing to spear him and being splashed with warm blood. Daryl pulled the weakened Sam onto a motorcycle and then got on it himself, starting ti up and riding away with Jesus in tow.

After a couple of hours they arrived at Hilltop. Daryl saw how much Sam was struggling to stay awake and picked him up, carrying him through the gates with a concerned face.

"Please, He needs food and water!" Daryl begged as Maggie sprinted over despite her fragile condition. Sam smiled slightly before his eyes closed. All he could hear were the worried calls to him as he drifted off into the blissful void, knowing he was safe.

Rick was surprised when Daryl appeared around the corner with Jesus and embraced the man, both crying. Daryl noticed that the whole crew was here and hugged each in turn. Carl's brow furrowed. Where was Sam?

"Daryl, Where is he?"

Daryl silently led them to the doctor's trailer where he was connected to a half-full IV and the doctor was checking over his body and this led Rick to kneel beside the bed and cry for Sam's safe return , despite how bad he looked.

"Damn near starved to death, he hasn't eaten anything for a week, maybe more. I'm surprised he'd not dead"

"He's strong" Daryl cut in, sitting on the chair beside Sam's bedside. Sam's eyes fluttered open and he sat up just then, with newfound strength.

"You bet I am" He smirked weakly and was readily embraced by everyone in turn, his weak smile growing wider and wider and his hope restored. They were on the run, they were targets but they were back home, back with their family. Sam was feeling much better after a few hours with a full belly, a quenched thirst and a lust for Negan's head on a spike. His cheekbones were still protruding and he bruised easily but his knuckles were cleaned up and bandaged and he could get up and walk around. Jesus helped him limp up towards the house where the others were talking to Gregory. When the two men entered the group turned to take in the sight with relieved expressions that Sam was ok. Gregory, on the other hand, gained a slightly paranoid expression and shifted uncomfortably.

"So...What did I miss?" Sam asked, trying to lighten the tense mood. 

"He's not gonna help us" Rick informed and Sam was about ready to go off on a rant  but stopped himself.

"Selfish prick"

"Tell me about it" Maggie sighed and they left. Enid led them through the house to where a group of hilltop people gathered, looking up to the group.

"Enid tells us you are going to go and fight the saviours"

"That's right"

"Do you really think we can win?"

"Maybe"

"Do you really think we can fight?"

"Yes"

Sam felt his stomach grumble again and followed Daryl to a trailer where they sat and came up with a plan while Sam and Maggie wolfed down a whole apple pie, Sam not ending up with much due to the pregnant woman seeming to have an apple craving. Daryl placed a quick kiss on Sam's chapped lips and brushed his hair out of his face with a small smile, pressing their forehead's together. Sam blushed but relished in the contact. He had missed aryl so much and this wad the first they'd been able to enjoy that they were together again.

"I think it's time we go and meet King Ezekiel" Jesus said and Sam was pulled out of his elation.

"King? What next? A fuckin' tiger?"