Walking Dead: Unexpected Return

Chapter 24 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.

Reviews

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks and oh yes indeed.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 24

Sophia smiled lightly as she walked with Carl, another week had passed, she was feeling stronger and right now couldn't be happier. Hand linked with Carl's they took a moment to enjoy the crisp air as their relationship continued to blossom. Smiling at her Carl leaned in and gently kissed her temple.

"So, how are things at home?" He asked gently.

Sophia smiled. "Fine. It's going great, mom's back to work regularly now that I don't need as much supervision and Henry's doing great, I still can't believe how quickly we managed to bond."

"Yeah. But then, it's not surprising at least, he's a great kid." Carl remarked.

Sophia playfully elbowed him. "Hey, we're still kids ourselves you know."

Carl laughed softly at that, shaking his head as the two of them walked on, both deciding to maybe head to the Grimes house to spend some time together, just the two of them. As they walked Sophia began to wonder however.

"Say, have you heard from your dad about...you know?"

Carl shook his head. "There's been a few sightings possibly of them, but that was a little while ago. That guy, um, Joe. Beth actually bumped into him on her way to babysit Hershel."

"Whoa, creepy." Sophia gasped, a worried look coming over her face.

Carl quickly reassured her. "Hey, there's not been any sightings for the past week, they've clearly seen the posters and such and know the police are looking for them. It's gonna be alright."

Sophia took a deep breath and nodded, glad for Carl's reassurance. Both of them sadly unaware of how wrong he was.

They had just turned onto the street where the Grimes family lived, there was nobody about at this time, only a few parked vehicles, when it happened. It was so sudden, they were both taken totally unaware when two black cloth bags were yanked over their heads before they were dragged struggling and fighting into a waiting van. Their desperate struggles were soon contained as coarse scratchy rough ropes bound their wrists behind their backs, more ropes secured their ankles and legs at just above the knee, causing them to curse their choices to both wear shorts that day. The bags over their heads not only robbed them of sight but were tight enough that they muffled their words and made it difficult to breathe when they struggled, forcing them to stop and lay on the floor of the van, which they already noted was driving away, feeling it rumbling beneath them.

"Talk about giving us the runaround girlie." A rough voice above them said.

Hearing it Sophia flinched and then whimpered. The man gave a short laugh and if they could see him they would've noticed his shrug.

"But no matter, once you're back where you belong, we'll sort this mess out. Especially your little mistake, going to the police, breaking the rules...You know we can't tolerate that." The man continued. "Daddy will have to punish you, won't we?"

Sophia flinched again, this confirmed her worst thoughts and made Carl realize exactly what they had got themselves into, these kidnappers. They were the group Sophia had been held prisoner by, the Claimers.

The rest of the trip was mostly in silence, apart from a few mutterings from the Claimers. Shuffling against his bonds, Carl tried to move so he was as close to Sophia as possible. She felt him next to her and finally stopped trembling, Carl was with her, she could draw strength from that. But even as she did, a new worry struck. She knew what was waiting for her when they arrived at the hideout, but what were they going to do with Carl. That was something that scared her. Yet thoughts about himself were the furthest thing from Carl's mind.

'I can't let this happen, Sophia I, I'm so sorry...I need to-' He thought desperately.

But whatever else he might have thought was cut short when the van finally stopped.

"Okay, we're here." The man who spoke before said. "Let's get them inside."

With that they felt hands on them then they were lifted out of the van, the ropes binding their legs were cut away and they were forced to walk, forced inside a building until they were finally stopped and the bags pulled off their heads, they could finally see and Sophia tensed, glaring. Standing there waiting, was her father. Seeing Ed Carl glared at the bastard.

"You, you think-urgh!"

He was cut off by a harsh blow to his stomach.

The man who had spoken before was responsible. "Quiet boy, you don't have permission to speak."

Sophia grimaced, looking over at Carl, then the man, it was Joe. The leader of the Claimers.

Continuing as if Carl hadn't spoken, Joe turned to Ed. "Well, here's your girl Ed. Although it seems she's broken a good many rules."

"I'll deal with it." Ed snarled before walking over and grabbing Sophia by the arm, dragging her away.

"Get off me!" She snapped, trying to pull her arm free.

Outraged Ed slapped. "Don't you dare question me, bitch!"

With that he bodily lifted her off the ground and carried her over his shoulder as she struggled and screamed.

"Sophia!" Carl cried.

But then he realized, he was alone with the rest of the Claimers.

They all watched him intently and Carl grimaced, trying to ignore the fear that was building inside him.

"So...what should we do with you?" Joe drawled with a dark smirk.

One of them, the one Sophia had identified as Dan stepped up. "Oh, let me have him-"

Carl tensed, noting the disgusting man was practically salivating at the sight of the bound teen.

But Joe cut him off. "Not yet, take him to the other room, we need to make sure he hasn't damaged Ed's property."

"She isn't-!" Carl began only to be struck again and then dragged off.

When things finally stopped hurting and he could see straight again, he was shocked to find his T-shirt and shorts were gone, he was being bound to a chair with more rope, which dug into his skin, hurting already, his socks and shoes had just been removed and his legs were being secured to the chair. His dark red boxers were all he had on and he was surrounded by these men. Joe had picked up a metal rod and smirked at him evilly.

"Here Harley." He said handing to rod to him. "Run this over the stove...then we'll begin."

It soon dawned on Carl, he was going to be tortured.

Meanwhile, in one of the bedrooms, a bedroom that had become familiar to Sophia over her four years there, she struggled as Ed pushed her down onto the bed.

"Enough of this, you need to remember your place!" He snapped.

"Fuck you!"

He roared at that and slapped her, before trying to force her shorts down. He let out a yelp when, instead of doing as she was supposed to in his mind and letting him, she lashed out, kicking him squarely in the face. Ed stumbled back, Sophia lay on the bed, hands still bound, glaring at him, breathing heavily. Ed clutched at his face, staring in disbelief at her resistance of his attempts to dominate her again.

End of chapter, now things get problematic to say the least, read and review please.