I secretly relished the ride back to the Sanctuary. My attempt at escape had exhausted me, and I took this as an opportunity to rest in preparation for whatever punishment was to come next. I curled into a ball in the back of the truck, closing my eyes and trying to ignore the motion of the truck jostling me from side to side and the bumps in the road bouncing me up and down.
All too soon, we arrived back at the Sanctuary.
The truck came to a stop and I shielded my eyes as light flooded in when the door was opened and Simon's rough hands dragged me out of the truck. I scrambled to my feet, groaning as I put weight on my shot leg. Simon half-dragged me into what was once a factory and was now called the "Sanctuary." Sanctuary my ass. I was dragged down hall after hall after hall until Simon finally pushed a door open and shoved me inside, down on my knees. I cringed as pain shot up my leg. I stared up at the figure that he up from behind the desk in the room.
Negan. The leader of the Saviors. The "protector." The asshole. And he was a deadly asshole at that. He wore his usual garb of black boots, dark pants, a white t-shirt covered by a jacket, but today he was missing his red scarf that usually hung around his neck that I so badly wanted to choke him with. But as usual, that fucking bat was perched on his shoulder. Lucile. What kind of fucked up piece of shit names his weapon? Sure, name cars and guitars, but weapons? That's just sick. Everything about him exuded dominance, power, and control. It was infuriating.
"Well, well, well, the bitch returns!" He exclaimed, standing in front of me now and jerking me from my thoughts of absolute contempt. "Do you know how much of a pain in my ass you've been sweetheart?" He asked and I remained silent, simply glaring up at him in defiance. "Simon! Refresh this girl's memory." Negan barked.
"Hm, well, first her group didn't pay up." I involuntarily flinched at the mention of my group. They were all dead now, all except for me, all at the hands of Negan and Lucile. "So we took her back here. Then she refused to kneel, then she missed a mandatory meeting," Simon was ticking the things off on his fingers. "Then she stole a knife, then she attacked a savior, then she broke out and escaped."
"Right you are!" Negan said, staring down at me, "Each of those alone is so not cool, but all of them together, you have been one fuckin' naughty girl." He said with a deadly smirk.
"Then kill me." I told him, causing him to laugh. "Just get it over with if I'm such an inconvenience." Why wasn't I dead yet? Why wouldn't get just get it over with already. At this point, I wouldn't mind death. It seemed like anything was better than this life I was living now.
"Oh, sweetheart! That would be just too easy! No, I'm not gonna kill you." He squatted down in front of me, his face inches away from mine and his voice got dangerously low, "No, I am going to break you down." He emphasized every word, his voice like gravel. His face was intense, hard, and made me shake in fear. But then, a grin split his face, showing those dangerously straight white teeth and he stood up. "Call a meeting. Right now." He ordered Simon, running a hand down his salt and pepper beard. Simon made a call on his radio then his hands grabbed me again and dragged me back down the halls again.
I found myself on my knees in a large, concrete room, a furnace roaring behind me, the heat making me sweat. Everyone else from the Sanctuary stood surrounding me, waiting for Negan to arrive. I wasn't sure what punishment Negan was going to dish out, but I knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. He wasn't going to bash my brains in, he had made that clear enough. Perhaps he would take the iron to my face, as I had seen happen once before, but usually the recipient was bound to a chair. This was unchartered territory, and I was scared.
A whistle filled the air, the haunting tune sent shivers down my spine, and everyone swiftly fell to their knees, except for the wives. I looked up defiantly at Negan as he entered the clearing of people, Lucile resting on his shoulder. If I didn't know better, I'd say the inanimate object looked ready for some action. He gave me a once over as he stopped whistling, then turned to face everyone else.
"On your feet." He ordered and everyone rose. "You all know the rules. The rules here are fucking simple and they all come back down to one fucking thing: Respect. If you do not respect the system, if you do not respect the saviors, if you do not fucking respect me, there will be consequences. I don't fucking like having to punish people, but rules are rules!" Negan's voice had risen at this point, and as much as I tried not to show fear, my entire body was shaking in betrayal.
Negan turned back to face me, and he leaned down. "Normally, I'd take the iron to you, but I'd hate to mess up your pretty little face." He whispered, as if confiding in me. "Lay your ass down." He ordered, stepping back and urging me to comply by kicking my shoulder. I landed, my back against the cold concrete below me. I stared up at Negan, absolutely terrified now. My chest rose and fell in rapid succession.
One of Negan's men held down my right shoulder and Negan's booted foot was firmly planted on my left bicep, forcing me to extend my arm out across the floor. I watched in horror as Negan raised the bat over his head and brought it crashing down on my hand. A scream tore through me as I tried to jerk away, but I couldn't. The bat kept coming down on my hand until all that was left was a pile of mush and flesh on the floor. Finally, Negan stepped back and the hands left my shoulder. I curled into a ball, cradling my stump of an arm, tears of pain streaming down my face.
"Dismissed! Clean up this shit!" Negan yelled. "Clean up her arm, but no pain killers." He added, then I felt gentle hands on my shoulder and I looked up to find myself face to face with the doctor.
I stumbled to my feet, still cradling my arm, which felt like it was on fire, and Simon grabbed my bicep and led me behind the doctor. When we made it to the clinic, I collapsed on the table. "Fuck," I drew out the word in a groan, my jaw clenched in pain.
"Hold her down." I heard the doctor's voice order, as if from far away. I danced the line of consciousness, until the pain and darkness finally overwhelmed me.
Wow guys, chapter 2! Thank you all so much for the love so far! What do you think? I feel like this chapter was a little rushed, idk. What do you think is gonna happen to Victoria next? What do you think of Negan? Share your thoughts, leave a review! I love reading constructive criticism and I'd love to know what you all think so far! :)
