Hello again! Since my last update I have two new followers and favs. Thank you guys for joining ;o) Comments are always welcome. Have fun reading guys!
Finally we find out more about the voice that supports Ella's every move. What you think of last chapter bringing together Joe's group and Phillip? Sincethe appearance of Randall and his talk to Daryl at the Green's farm I thought he might be a member of Joes or Phillips group ;o) So I tried a little crossover ^^
Wake up!
I opened my eyes and saw the smiling face of my brother. My lips began to curl up in a smile, but when I blinked he was gone. Looking around I realized I was still in the same damn cell. I hoped I had died … but again my hope was betrayed by reality. No matter what, I won't leave you. You are not alone.
I sat up and saw the bottle of water Phillip gave me days ago. I reached for it and drank hastily. How long have I been imprisoned? I couldn't tell … All I could tell was that I was hallucinating my brother's voice again and again. Maybe I was hydrated, maybe I was just stupid. I am here with you. Suddenly the voice was as clear as never before.
"Why do you haunt me?" I whispered to the walls. What are you talking about bad ass? I am always there for you. Told you I would never leave you. I smiled at his words and remembered the day my brother had died. It had been on my 19th birthday. We had celebrated a little party in the garden of my parent's house, just family. The sun had been shining, it had been such a lovely day. My brother, who I had always looked up to, had told me he had a present for me and we had to ride his bike to get there. My parents hadn't want us to go, especially my father.
I had always loved to ride a bike but since this not-so-special-day-anymore I had never wanted to be near a motorcycle again. On our way a car had crashed into our bike and we had been flying through the air like thrown stones … like free birds. All I remember was, that I had been lying on warm asphalt next to my brother. There had been a constant ringing in my ears, as if the angels signaled our arriving in heaven. But it hadn't been heaven at all. While lying on my stomach and my brother on his side, we had been looking into each other's eyes. I had seen nothing but him. The moment had been so absurd and sacred at the same time. But the pain I had felt all over my body had been more than real and I had realized we were going to die. I could tell from his eyes that he had been in immense pain too, but still he had been smiling at me the whole time. Now that I thought about it he maybe had done it to distract me from all the pain.
"Please don't leave me!" I had cried for him to stay awake and wait for the ambulance I had hoped someone had called. His voice had been low and fading when he had told me he loved me and was sorry. The last words he had ever spoken to me had been "I will never leave your side!" Since this moment when the breath of life had left his lips forever, I heard his voice in my head, and had panic attacks from time to time. I had always thought I was crazy, insane, but he always told me I was not. That's right sweet little sis. I told you I would never leave your side! Told you to be there when you would start to fall apart and guide your direction. My eyes began to fill with tears. "I wish I had died with you." I felt responsible for the death of my brother, but I never told him. I never really spoke to the voice in my head. Sometimes he was a welcome relief who supported me, comforted me … but sometimes he disturbed my every thought and action. Don't be sorry. I am happy you are still alive. "What a groaner."
All my life you have been the most important person to me. You are my everything. I listened to my brother's voice and felt like a brainsick idiot rotting in an asylum. You remember the first time we rode my bike? I nodded as if he could see me. Pop always hated me for every time I asked you to ride with me. He was afraid something could happen to his precious daughter. I smiled remembering my dad's fatherly scolding and my mother's lovely touch that I missed so much right now. Our relationship had always been special.
When we had been riding his bike together I had always clung to my brother like a monkey, afraid I could fly away but loved the wind on my skin, on my face. You always loved to ride my bike. I could see his smiling lips and shiny eyes, his blonde curly hair. But at the end of my thoughts containing my brother I always saw blood coming out of his mouth. It was the same image, the same moment when we were lying on the warm asphalt waiting for the death to call for us. A tear rolled down my cheek and I shut my eyes. Ella!
I opened my eyes again to see nothing. I didn't know why I still hoped to see him, I really must be a brainsick idiot. You will survive this, you will stick this out. "Don't quiet have a choice." You always have a choice … to live. Don't think about dying. But I still hoped Milton would show mercy and leave a knife to me. Don't you remember mom telling us about purgatory? If you kill yourself heaven will expel you and you will rot in hell. I let out a small laugh. "Never really believed in her words. God is a fictitious character in a long forgotten book. It's only for believers, not for me." Don't say that, mom believed. Did he really think after all the humiliation and pain I could believe there was a higher something controlling the world's steps on a path to redemption? This world has gone to shit and I went with it.
The voice grew silent. I didn't want him to talk about God or my parents, but I wanted him to talk to me. I felt alone and was in need of a warm embrace. I wish I could be your hero. "You always have been my hero! Always comforted me and sheltered me from all the bad things." I smiled the tears away remembering my brother protecting me of bad boys. But now there is nothing I can do. "Talk to me. Let me know I am not alone and it is worth living, otherwise I cannot go on … I don't want to …" They are still out there, somewhere … Your group, your friends. Andrea is waiting for you at a highway and Daryl is waiting for your return. Why did he have to mention him? You know too well why. His name makes your heart beat faster and makes you want to survive. If you want to see them again you need to stay strong, stay positive. You miss Glenn's jokes, Dale's talks and Daryl's lessons. So: woman up and fight. In the end you will walk out of here with your head held high. It was almost as if he was singing the last few words.
Voices from outside interrupted our conversation. I could hear muffled voices. As I started to crawl to the wall I winced in pain. My back suddenly hurt and I remembered Phillip cutting into my back. I ignored the pain as I heard a man's voice. "We should leave them … Joe's group is no good. Let us go, take her with us to Woodburry." Someone hushed him. I pressed my ear against the wall. But I just heard fading low voices.
"Ya eavesdropping?" I turned around and for a moment I saw Daryl. My heart began to beat faster. I remembered his face when he had caught me out on eavesdropping Shane and Lori. But that had been a long time ago and I realized it couldn't be him. When I looked at the figure again I saw the man called Joe in front of the bars. He walked to the side of the room looked out of the window and smiled. I wanted to ask him what he saw but saw no point in starting a conversation. He turned his attention back on me. "I heard your name 's Ella. What a beautiful name." His eyes bored into mine. "Andy asks me all the time about you. Tell ya what: Women are trouble." He sat down on a chair. "I want my men to be satisfied, but there are some rules, you know. Otherwise we would all be monsters."
What the hell was he telling me about rules? What a damn fucker. "What's the point in telling me anyway? You all are monsters and murderer to me." I stared back at him. After the talk to my brother's voice I was full of rage and hate. A pool of emotions stirred up inside me, and I remembered it all … the death of my brother, the killing of my friends, and the humiliation … I began to shake with rage. These people were responsible for the loss of my friends and my damn situation. These thoughts and feelings made me strong and summoned up my last reserves of strength to be ready to fight back.
"Your master is quiet a pigheaded fellow." My blood ran cold at his words. "Last time we met pretty girls we fucked them in front of their father's eyes and killed them all together." I couldn't believe he smiled while talking as if he recalled a happy memory. "You are sick." I spat into his direction. "If I would have the strength I would kill you." This time I was the one who smiled. He stood up and I was afraid to be tortured. I shook my head, as if I could shake the fear away. But he didn't come closer.
"I like you, like the fire in your eyes. You are the type that never gives up." But I definitely didn't like the look in his eyes. "You remind me of my sister – may God rest her soul. She was a wild child just like you." "You don't know me in any way!" I shot him a filthy look. Joe just laughed. I was about to stand up and fight back, when Joe looked out of the window and went for the door. In the moment he opened the door Milton was about to open it too. "Oh!" He seemed surprised to see Joe in here and immediately looked at me. He saw me behind the bars untouched and seemed to be relieved. Joe smiled at him while he grabbed Milton's left shoulder hard. "You had a pretty little talk with your leader?" Milton looked to the ground like a caught child. I could only imagine that Joe squeezed Milton's shoulder tight. "I don't know what you are talking about." He freed himself from Joes grab and quickly went over to me. Joe laughed again and went out whistling.
Milton's face was more pale and insecure than before. "Here!" He took a weapon out of his jacket and showed me a knife. So in the end he showed mercy. With all might I stood up and hobbled to the bars and took the knife realizing it was Daryl's hunting knife. My knife. "We will leave tonight. Be ready!" He turned and without looking back he went out as fast as he could. I couldn't even ask any questions. I looked at my knife in my hands. The knife Daryl had given me to defend myself … I hid it inside my boot. Next time I would be ready to defend myself!
See, everything worked out just fine! I touched my right boot again and felt the knife inside. I was relieved and felt somehow stronger. "I can defend myself next time". I told myself again. There won't be a next time. "What do you know?" I know you are stronger than you think. Tonight you will escape. I uttered a brief laugh and leaned my head against the cold bars. This wouldn't be an escape at all, it would be fleeing from the fire into the next stage of hell. Even I felt stronger and more confident I was still weak and hungry. I didn't trust anyone, not even Milton. Maybe it was a trap, maybe it was real.
I heard rattling and opened my eyes. I must have fallen asleep again. I was sitting with my back against the bars, my arms up. What the hell? There was a heavy weight on my wrists. I was chained to the bars?! I couldn't remember anyone entering the cell chaining me. When did they do it? You passed out lil' one. "I did? When?" Don't think about it. It was not an instruction but sympathetic pity.
"Who are you talking to?" I looked right into Andy's smiling eyes. Next to him was another guy. My eyes widened at the look of the chain around both of my wrists. "Look at that body." He pulled my legs and I slit to the ground. Andy swung his leg over me and sat down on my stomach. I tried to struggle, but the other goy held my hands. "Keep quiet Andy." It was the guy from before. What was his name again … Len?! Len came closer while Andy slid down to sit on my legs.
"Grab her tight, don't want her to go all crazy." Len nodded, his facial expressions as cold as a rock. He looked me right in the eyes, but wasn't looking at me at all. "Please. Don't do …" But in that moment he punched me right in the face. When I looked at him again, he pulled out a rag and plugged it in my mouth. I screamed, but all I heard was a muffled sound no one outside would hear. I felt a sharp pain in my right leg. With wide eyes I saw Andy holding a knife and cutting my pants. I screamed under the rag and tried to break free, but they just pushed me harder to the ground. I wanted to look at Len, fix him with my eyes, but his eyes were all over my body. I would never forget his greedily look. Pure angst grew inside me. Then Andy cut the inside of my thigh lightly. I cried out loud. "Stop your game over there. It's my turn now." I saw Len moving, but Andy pushed him back. "Not yet." He turned to me and caressed my face with the bloody knife. "You thought you could survive in this world? Vermin like you is for the birds. Only good to fuck." With his knife he cut my already torn shirt in two, starring at my bra. I chewed on the rag and tried to disgorge it. "Jerk off!"
I trembled under the hard grasp of Len. "I like it when they fight back." I had heard that sentence before. Merle said it to me before Daryl helped me, rescued me. I looked behind Andy, but Daryl wasn't there to safe my life this time. Fight him, struggle! Don't let them hurt you. And so I did, but it was two against one. Two strong gorillas against a three-legged dog. Andy punched me hard in the stomach and I exhaled loudly. He stood up. "That's for ma brother!" He kicked me into the side and I screamed in pain. He kicked me again and I hoped he hadn't broken my ribs. I cried in agony, not able to move. Len shifted in his place as if he was excited. "Please let me have a go." Andy ignored him. "I want her to experience all forms of pain." Tears of fear streamed down my face as Andy took off his pants and kneeled between my legs. By the look of his naked flesh I tried to kick him. He just laughed at my struggle. With a quick movement he opened my pants and I felt his hard dick between my legs. "No!" I wriggled under him but still felt the tip of his cock too close. I spat into his face when I saw a shadow moving behind him. Would Daryl come to rescue me again?
Milton appeared out of the dark. Suddenly Andy gave out a loud breath and I realized the tip of a knife came out of his mouth. I saw Phillip behind him, pulling out his knife. Len let go off me, but before he could scream Phillip punched him hard in the face and pushed his head into the bars. Len went limb on the ground. I hastily buttoned up my jeans.
Milton grabbed my arm and helped me up. "Can you walk?" I was not used to a nice touch and shook him off. He looked at the cuffs around my wrists but didn't open them. Phillip looked back at us. "We have to be fast. Don't want these guys to follow us to our sweet little home." I didn't want to go with them. But Milton grabbed me again and I based myself on him while he pulled me with him. This was the first time I went through the cell door, out of my dungeon, and behind the bars. Phillip took a gun out of the back of his trousers and opened the door to the outside world. He nodded and ordered us to follow. I was afraid of what would welcome me behind this wooden door. But as I stepped outside it was silent. I was afraid someone would hear my heart beading fast. We went left, Phillip in front of us. It was my chance to pull out my knife and stab him, but Milton's grab was tight. I felt like being glued to his side, while he still dragged me with him. Would I have the strength to stay or walk all by myself? While we were running through the woods, I thought about my next step. What could I do? What about run for your life?
We already had covered a great distance. Perchance now was the time to break free. "Let me go." Phillip turned around. "We are saving your life." I hated this man with all my heart.
"No. You are postponing my death." Milton seemed shocked at my words but Phillip slapped me with the back of his hand across the face. "Ingrate!" There was fury in his eyes but his voice steady like always. He muttered and walked on. Again Milton followed him and pulled me with him. We walked a while until I heard the well-known gnarling. A few zombies were crossing our path. If Phillip would shoot the others would hear it and know our position. Phillip seemed to know that too. He pulled out his knife and began to stab the walking dead bodies. I felt Milton flinch next to me, he retched. I looked to the other side when he puked.
When I turned my head to look at him, a walker was coming at us with intense speed. I shoved Milton to the side and grabbed the knife from the inside of my boot. But the walker was too fast. It tackled me down and fell on me. When my back met the ground a low cry of pain escaped my lips. Everything was dark. Were my eyes closed? Did the walker kill me? My whole body hurt and I felt my heart beading fast almost exploding in my chest. I heard voices. When I tried to open my eyes, I saw that luckily my knife had went through the walker's throat into his head. I shut my eyes in relief. Suddenly I felt myself getting wet. The walker must have transformed a while ago. Its rotting body must be open. I felt the rest what was left of my clothes were soaking in its blood and bowel. My breathing became slow. This was it … Don't move!
"Oh god, is she dead?" I heard Milton next to me, a hand on my face. Someone released the safety catch of a gun. It must be Phillip. "No! She saved my life." Milton pleaded. "Let her be! Let's go." I heard him staying up. Phillip didn't say anything at all. I heard their footsteps, they must be walking away. The sound of rustling leaves faded.
I carefully opened my eyes after a while. I looked left and right, no Phillip, no Milton. I shoved the walker off me and looked around again. I finally was alone. I slowly stood up and walked to the next tree under pain. I looked down on me, blood was all over my body. I was wounded and hungry … and my legs wouldn't carry me miles. But you have to run. Run Ella! And I obeyed. I began to run but a few trees later I was stopped by two walkers. I saw them looking at me, but they didn't move into my direction. I slowly moved to the side but they didn't seem to be interested in me at all. It must be the blood of the walker all over your body! Like this – rotten blood and the insides of the walker all over me – I could survive a little longer. I began to move faster. I started running again and looked back to check if the walkers would follow me, but they didn't.
Hope you enjoied this chapter and i didn't scare anyone off. Next chapter is already written, i had a run ;o)
See ya guys soon!