13.
Seventy-five hours passed. And within that time, Negan escorted Ana back to her small cabin without being able to say goodbye to Rick. She was given a more complex protection and guarding detail, with five guards on duty, switching shifts every seven to eight hours. They stood two out front, and then one at each available window. Aside from them, Simon and a doctor visited to check on her and provide food three times a day. Simon had glared at Ana's body from time to time as he had sipped her glass of water, although he refused to touch her when a guard had them in sight. For this reason, Ana spent her times in the living room by the front door, where the night shift spent their time looking in at her. Negan's appearances declined as his silent-treatment-esque punishment continued every second he was in Ana's presence.
Ana's treatment of him made her feel young, almost immature. But it kept him at bay. He no longer touched her, came within a foot of her without being met by two steps back. When he did visit, he talked. He talked for hours and hoped Ana would respond at some point. For most of these visits, she curled against her cot in the bedroom, counting the amount of cracks in the wall while attempting to tune him out.
Today was different.
It was a minute after guard shifts had changed, and the sun was already beginning to rise. Ana slept on the shabby couch in the living room in case Simon decided to show up. A throw blanket covered half of her barely clothed body –a result of Negan's reluctance to let her shower and provide new clothes.
The door opened with a low creak, filling the room with a certain tension that was enough to make any one person uncomfortable. Negan stepped in, nodding to one of the watchmen outside. In his hands resided a small plate of scrambled eggs and orange juice. His eyes landed on the angel to his left, curled into a ball with no intention of waking up.
"Ana," he whispered quietly, noting that the bruises on her exposed stomach had turned a deep shade of brown. He frowned in disgust at Simon's work, wondering why he allowed his right hand man to injure her so prolifically.
The small woman awoke with a start, flying into a sitting position. Negan scared her. The fact that his words had such an impact hit him in the gut, but he swatted away the feelings and instead gestured towards the food in his hands. When Ana made no jump at the food, he chuckled.
"Don't all jump at once."
Silence.
Negan floated towards the kitchen, though his boots crunched the dirt on the floor. He laid the plate and juice on the ruined marble counter and turned his heels. Ana's bare legs were now crossed, covering her lower extremities in somewhat shame. The night before she had taken off her pants and washed them with the water Simon brought for dinner. They were drying on the doorknob to her room.
"Nothing I haven't seen before, sweetheart."
The weight of the comment was tangible. Negan shifted uncomfortably under Ana's cold eyes. When did she become so cold?
"I'm taking you to meet everyone today," Negan suggested, crossing his arms and pacing behind the couch. "I have some clothes in the truck-you smell like shit…Alright not the best joke, I admit. But honey, you have to clean up at some point."
He was rambling, a new low for his stature. Ana crossed her hands over her lap, and glanced towards the window. A black guard was peering at her back, covered only by the thin fabric of a tank top. Tears instantly appeared in her eyes. She was sitting naked in front of her husband and a parade of perverted men that no doubt would rape her as Simon had if given the chance.
Negan followed her gaze, travelled to the door and left abruptly. Moments later, the man disappeared and a shriek of pain soon emanated from the back of the house.
"Stop," Ana miserably whispered to no one, grasping at the hem of the blanket to cover her entire body. She rolled onto her side, facing the couch and continued to furiously fight back the tears that threatened to expose her weakness.
"Baby," the door opened quickly and slammed behind Negan's frame. With clothes in his hand, he traversed to the counter, and placed them down. He then walked to the couch, peered down at his wife, and tried to bring his hand to her face. His advancing fingers threatened to break the barrier Ana had worked to keep.
"No," she mumbled. Her tired, cracking voice surprised Negan. It had been so long since she had spoken to him, or said anything in his presence. Though the word typically meant the opposite, he found it welcoming.
He found himself sitting on the couch beside her, tugging at her frail body to fall into his arms. His strength was hard to overcome, and Ana found herself following through with his exact plans. Her head lay on his chest, hearing the fast rate of a persistent heart. His arm wrapped around her back, pulling the covers sideways so that her legs were including under its soft fabric.
"I'm sorry," Negan mumbled against her buttery hair. "I fucked up, Ana. I- I have no fucking explanation for my actions, and I understand the implication that follows, but I love you. I love you so much."
She melted against him, inhaling his scent and catching his words as if she would never hear him say them again.
"I'm never leaving you, baby," Negan mumbled, rubbing his hand against her firm cheek.
An hour later, Ana found herself dressed in the black tights and shirt that Negan provided and slowly slurping the orange juice. Her face was sore from the contortion that followed a hard sob, her head throbbing. However, Negan allowed her to place her emotional and physical weight on him as he led her tired body from the house to the small sedan that waited outside.
By now the sun had risen above the horizon, gently coating the forest in dainty sunlight. It was soft on Ana's sight, and she welcomed the fresh air that came with it. She hadn't been outside for days, and opening the windows had been a line she wasn't willing to cross.
An unrecognizable man sat in the front seat of the silver car that Negan led Ana to. Negan opened the door for her, and she slid in, looking at the driver curiously as her hands fumbled to pull at the tight fabric of the shirt. When the driver's blue eyes flickered up towards the mirror, she looked away at the leather seats and at a small stain on the hard carpet that reminded her of coke.
Negan slid in the other side.
"Josiah," he said sternly, "whenever you're ready would be nice."
The car started at once, leading Ana and Negan far away from the cabin. Most of the ride, his hand resided on her lap, gently stroking it while Ana watched the scenes change outside the window. She occasionally glanced into the side mirror, watching as the redness in her eyes, cheeks, and nose gradually faded.
It seemed hours had gone by before they appeared outside a large, dull compound surrounded by men with guns and large metal gates. Being led inside was a rush, and Ana seemed to zone out until they appeared in a tall room full of bustling people, all in conversation with one another. A few kids weaved through the crowds with food in their hands, shoving it into their mouths and teasing each other. Negan's presence seemed to halt the conversations as fearful eyes turned towards the leader.
"My wife, Ana," Negan announced, and then more quietly said, "my beautiful fucking wife."
Strange, reserved applause followed his words as a few shots of confusion were exchanged. Negan turned to Ana as soon as their voices became drowned out by the hoards of people.
"I need to prepare our room. Go find some friends."
Negan left before Ana had a chance to say goodbye. She crossed her arms, and glared into the atmosphere with questionable intentions. Her eyes landed on a brown-haired woman staring at her from across the compound. The woman was wearing nothing but a sheer black dress, and held a bottle of water in her hands. It was she who Ana decided to approach.
"Hello," she finally mumbled in the woman's direction after minutes of sorting through the crowd. The woman's brow pulled together as she reached out a hand.
"Sherry," she said in a surprisingly upbeat tone. Ana smiled, assured that people here would welcome her.
"Ana."
"I've heard. You're the newest wife?"
The question hit Ana between her ribs. She took a step back and squinted her eyes, "newest?" Her brain automatically sorted through the worst scenarios, causing her throat to clench before she knew the reason.
"I'm glad. We've been waiting for someone new to relieve the tension."
"What do you mean?" Perhaps Negan had married once again. This was understandable, as Ana was with Rick before she knew Negan's status.
"Amber has been misbehaving. Come, I'll introduce you to her and the others."
"What do you mean newest wife, Sherry?" Ana grabbed Sherry's wrist as the brunette began to leave. "Who's Amber?"
"Another one of his wives. I assume you already knew since he usually doesn't marry anyone outside the compound-"
"How many wives does he have?"
"I guess seven now, counting you."
A/N: So I realize it has taken a while for me to post...and this chapter isn't that long. Not to worry! The coming premiere will fuel me to write just as much as I have been previously and since the new semester is settling into place, I should have more opportunities to write for all of you lovely followers :)
Replies:
I appreciate all your amazing comments, they make my day every time I read them!
StTudnoBright: She doesn't know about the bat yet. Negan is purposely keeping it secret, since he believes she will be rightfully disturbed after figuring out the name. Stay tuned for next chapter to figure out where Ana will be kept in her new definition of hell. :)
Boo4ME: Haha, he was pretty rude to Ana in the first few chapters because his thoughts were concerned with her intentions. Do you still perceive him as being rude, or has your opinion changed?
I'm a Nerd and Proud: You HAVE to watch the last two episodes! They're so awesome despite Sasha! Also, I 100% agree with you on Simon and his punishment. Hopefully Ana finds a way to tell Negan soon, but I have a feeling some things will delay her confesesion...
msgemgem: Connie was mentioned at the end of chapter 5, although I didn't dwell on her because I didn't foresee me making a chapter focused on her experiences with Ana. :) I'm sorry the story isn't for you, I hope you enjoyed it thus far :)