Gym Socks

Chapter 21

Tomorrow comes sooner than I expect. I wake up surprised to see Negan in the wives room having a drink at seven in the morning.

"Brooke. Can we talk?" He asks quietly as I just brush him off.

"That wasn't an offer, it was a demand." He grits through his teeth as he stands up and walks me outside to the hall. "Listen, what happened with Frankie and you, that was super shitty I know. But that shit wasn't on me and you know it... so stop looking at me like I'm a God damn monster. You chose to make a little fucking runaway. YOU put yourself in danger all I ever wanted to do was keep you safe."

I sit there for a minute and stare at him. Until I begin to bust out laughing, boy could I go for a drink right now.

"Alright, I've tried to get through to you but you're just a fucking lost cause." Negan harshly remarks storming off. I pour myself a cup of what the fuck ever and sip it slowly, savoring the taste. I can't get too drunk, I'm supposed to escape again tonight. I've run this plan over and over in my head numerous times now. It can't go wrong. It shouldn't. But I need to get out of here and I need to get out of here fast. I've been losing my mind, feeling numb to everyone and everything. I feel as dead inside as the roamers beyond the gates.

I'm tired, tired of not fitting in. Tired of not belonging. Rick's group abandoned me. Negan doesn't want me, and the wives I've never truly felt I've belonged with. I mean they aren't the worst group of people but they certainly aren't the best. I feel trapped in these walls and I would do anything to be running free again. I'm not the same person I used to be. That person died long ago. It's time for me to start over.

I need to start over some how, some way. I feel like if I run away at this point Negan won't even bother. I'm just a lost cause to him, damaged goods. Nothing of use to him anymore. He'll replace me if he hasn't already.

I finish the last sip of my drink and I go to change. I don't even bother packing this time. I just leave all my stuff and go down to the gym to see if Mark is still planning on joining me or not. Sure enough he's already here, he practically lives here. I begin to stretch as I talk to him. He doesn't talk back much though. He just nods or shrugs. 

"We have to wait for the sun to go down."

"Why?" He asks quietly. Finally speaking a word.

"So they don't see us when we leave. If you get caught leaving with me Negan might do something dramatic and extra like give you the iron or something." I explain. "We will leave as soon as the sun sets and go wherever the wind takes us. Which is hopefully far far the fuck away from here." I scoff stretching my legs.

Mark doesn't respond, but I can tell he's listening because I can see the smallest glimmer of hope shine in his eyes when I say we are finally busting out of here.