A/N: This chapter has some discussion of horrible and wretched things like rape and murder. It's also a little shorter than my usual, but it felt like the right place to end the chapter.
I don't own any of the marvelous TWD characters, only Marian is mine.
Ch. 7
Marian woke up a few hours later, she was only a little surprised at how well she'd slept, so long as Merle was near she seemed to sleep just fine, even though she'd had insomnia most of her life. She sat up and stretched grateful that her ribs only ached a little. Looking around the room she noticed Merle was not there.
She stood up and pulled her boots on then opened the door to head to the bathroom. However, as soon as the door was open she heard voices. A gruff male voice said, "This place looks pretty cleaned out, let's get back." Someone else replied, "what's your fuckin problem ain't looked through the whole damn place yet. Get your ass upstairs and check the bedrooms, if we're really fucking lucky another dumb whore has locked herself in a bedroom."
Those words were far too close to the truth and for a split second Marian froze, going back to the bedroom would leave her exactly where they expected so she darted for the bathroom and as soon as she got there she was pulled inside and a hand was placed over her mouth. Before she could scream or start to struggle she heard Merle's voice in her ear. "Fuckers just broke down the door, ain't looked in the garage yet. Now if I take my hand away from ya mouth y'ain't gonna scream or nothing, right?" Marian nodded and Merle took his hand away.
She spun around and put her forehead on his chest, her hands on his slim hips, but she didn't say anything till, "fuck, I think I left my knife in the bedroom."
Merle shook his head, "shoulda kept it with ya woman, ain't nothin we can do now. Let's step into the shower, close the curtain maybe they'll take off, if not we take'em down." He didn't wait for her response but simply picked her up and stepped into the bathtub with her. He sat down; sinking low in the tub he readied his gun against the side and pulled her tight against him. She was straddling him, with her head on his chest. His heartbeat was slow and steady as though nothing in the world could bother him. Marian took the time she was waiting with him to calm herself, using his heartbeat against her ear she set her breathing in time with his and let herself calm.
Merle looked down at the woman in his arms and realized she was using him to calm her panic at the situation. With a smirk he pulled his extra knife from his boot and slid it into her hand. She took it and looked up at him with a voiceless thanks. He had considered the fact that he might have just talked to the men or maybe killed them if they were a problem, but he didn't want them to fuck with Marian – damnit I'm turning into a fuckin pussy for this woman, he thought. His thoughts stilled and focused as the door opened and a man stepped inside.
Because of the curtains and their position the man couldn't see them, but Merle had no idea how tall he was or what he looked like. He pointed the gun, having released the safety and cocked it before the man came in. Before he was forced to shoot, the man yelled from the doorway, "Everything looks pretty empty up here; can we fuckin get back now? I want a chance at that little filly we brought back fore she's all used up." Merle wrapped his one arm around his woman instinctively placing it so he could keep her protected as he heard a second man come up the steps.
The second man was taller than the first and his voice was deeper, more menacing, "you think she ain't already? Pretty sure the bitch can't run anymore from the ass fucking the major gave her. We done found three bitches in this neighborhood, stupid cunts thinking they're safe in their gods damned houses. It was almost fun to watch the zombies tear the first bitch up, but we need to find another one cause the little one we got now ain't gonna be useful much longer. She stopped makin any noise and shit and you know how the man hates that. Sides, I'm sure I saw a big, fat bitch wanderin round here the other morning. She looked like she'd be some good god damned fun, something to hang on to and shit. I'm fuckin positive I saw her and she got my dick up; she's got to be in one of these houses. So stop yer whining and keep looking."
With every word the man spoke Marian felt her insides quaking, but she remained absolutely still. The other person in the tub felt rage build with each word the sick fuck said. He thought about just shooting the fuckers, but strategically it was a bad damned idea. He didn't' know what they were packing and he didn't know if they were the only ones in the house so he held back. After another minute of doors opening and closing they heard footsteps tromp down the steps and the continued disgusting conversation of the two men, both of whom seemed to believe that it was their right to hurt and use these women because they found them hiding.
After another couple of minutes they heard the front door slam. Marian let out the breath she was holding and whispered, "how long before we can get to the truck and hightail it out of here, need to find your brother right?" Focusing on anything but the fear of being caught by those men Marian kept her forehead pressed against Merle's shoulder. He held her close and rubbed her back a little feeling proud that she didn't break down or nothin. He could feel her shaking slightly and new she was afraid, but she was still thinking of him first. After a moment he grunted his agreement at the idea of going to find Daryl. Merle was still trying to calm himself down from his rage at the soldiers. He heard them referring to ranks so he thought they must be. He felt Marian sit up and he opened his eyes to watch her. "Y'aright?" He knew it was a stupid question, but at her nod his appreciation at her toughness went up another notch.
Marian nodded, but said nothing and climbed out of the tub. She waited till he was up and ready before she moved to open the door. Merle grabbed her hand, "Let me, don't know if they left any surprises." As it turned out, the men had simply left – after about an hour of waiting he got the truck ready; they opened the garage and started to pull out. At the end of the driveway was a man with some kind of automatic rifle who turned as the truck came towards him. Lucky for the couple in the truck, Merle floored it and hit the man, throwing him into the road before he had a chance to get his finger on the trigger.
Merle pulled away from the suburban complex in a fury of speed. He was still seething, and a part of him wished he could have taken the fuckers out before leaving, but he didn't know how good an idea it was to potentially leave the woman alone while he went on a killing spree. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel realizing he was changing. He'd never have thought about a fuckin woman rather than doing what he wanted. Problem was he figured he was about ready to set the world on fucking fire just at the memory of the soldier's words about the woman next to him. He knew he was pissy and growling but he didn't have it in him to do anything else but be pissed off and drive.
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