Ruins

1

Sam

I'd learned to block out the pain very well. Every rolled ankle, twisted knee, and chafing sunburn didn't phase me anymore.

Headaches were tough to ignore though.

A familiar throb rippled from one temple to the other. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to obstruct the light that was pouring through the window curtains. They were tied open, per usual, and a small breakfast of slimy fruit was sat on the glass coffee table. I knew the coffee was cold, because I wasn't allowed to have anything hot.

I lifted my hand to massage my fingertips over my forehead. My spine cracked as it curled, lifting me off the large bed.

I flinched at the solo knock on the thick door, followed by it swinging open.

The large henchman with fiery hair smirked as he looked down at me."He wants you to hurry up and eat then join the rest of the girls in kitchen." He gave me another once over and left me.

His big stature and red hair reminded me of my old friend.

°

"Hey Abe." I grinned, jumping into the passenger seat.

"Look at you... Like a dog with two tails." He chuckled, making me roll my eyes at him.

"Nuh uh, get in the back." A gruff voice interrupted our laughter.

"No way. I'm a girl-" I tried arguing.

"But you ain't the navigator." He shrugged, taking my arm and easily tugging me from the seat.

"You don't even have to navigate we're following them." I huffed, shutting his door for him, earning an entertained grin.

"Daryl? You guys set?" Rick's voice rang through the radio.

"Let's head out." Daryl answered.

"Did ya' let him butter your biscuits? That why you're so damn chippy?" Abraham glanced at me in the rearview as we exited Alexandria's gate.

"Butter my biscuits?" I held back a chuckle that I knew would annoy Daryl. I slid my right arm over the back of the passenger seat to rub my fingers over his shoulder. He met my eyes in his mirror and lifted his hand to hold mine.

°

"Morning." Frankie shot me a forced smile, as I joined them in the kitchen. I had slipped back into the black tight black dress with long sleeves he made me wear.

I watched Amber stare blankly at the door where a man guarded it, until it swung open revealing the tall, leather clad man. The guard dropped to his knees.

"Well, what a good morning it is." He beamed, setting Lucille on the sofa. "Ladies don't you love my newest wife?" He approached me and gripped my upper arms with no mercy. He hummed and released my arms to clutch my face and hold me still as he crushed my lips with a harsh kiss, sending a dirty feeling throughout my entire body.

He smiled at me until I looked up at him.

"Good morning Negan." My eyelids twitched.

Once he moved I saw a dirty man in a tan jumpsuit, and recognized it to be Daryl. It felt like someone was wrapping their fist around my heart, trying to make it burst, everytime I saw him like this.

Negan cleared his throat dramatically. "Keep your eyes to yourself there Daryl." He kept a condescending grin on his face. "I wanted my wife to join my meeting." He changed the subject.

The four of us women looked at one another, wondering which one of us he meant.

"Come on Sunshine." A quick strike to my ass got me to start towards the door. I hated his stupid nickname, as reminded me of someone from my past. I held Daryl's eyes as I slipped passed him, feeling the very edge of his jumpsuit brushing against my knuckles. "Get to mopping, Daryl." I heard Negan say before the door closed.

I stood beside Negan's seat at the long table as he spoke with his "lieutenants". I focused on the pain radiating through my feet in these too-small heels, until I heard Daryl's name.

"I'll send him back to his cell. He should notice pretty soon after that." Dwight spoke.

"We'll have her down by the bikes." Negan nodded, not even acknowledging me, until I shuffled on my feet one more time. His chair scraped the floor as he scooted back, causing my heart to thump against my ribcage. His arms circled around my thighs, pulling me down into his lap. "Y'all are excused." He spoke, keeping his eyes trained on me.

I watched them each get up from the long table and began to hold my breath.

"I don't believe we spent much time in this room, have we Sunshine?" His finger picked up a strand of my hair.

"I'm not a lieutenant... So no." I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"You're such a damn smart ass." He growled, standing, making me hop onto my feet. He held me so I was facing the door, and let his hand slide up my back, pushing me forward over the table. "Such a sourpuss." He chuckled at his own words.

My cheek was now flat against the cold metal table, and my eyes squeezed shut.

The door scraped open, and Negan pulled me up by my elbows, and I met Daryl's sad eyes. An unexpected quiver ran across my lip.

Daryl's eyes were partially covered by his long hair.

I began to open my lips to mouth something to him, but Negan spoke first.

"There you go again... Staring at my woman." Negan shook his head as he let me go. I reached for my elbows where his burning grip was. Negan smiled as Dwight appeared behind Daryl. "Take him back to his cell."

Face Claim: Ana De Armas