"Hey, now. What's going on." Shane stepped between them and pushed the two men away from each other.
"He needs to stay away from my wife. I don't want to see him anywhere near her," Sam raged, waving his arms around like a lunatic.
"We was just talking is all, Officer. Now, I know you can't arrest me for that," Merle sounded just as smooth and relaxed as he had before the argument started.
"Alright, Merle," Shane said, in an attempt to shut him up.
"Now, Sam, I need you to calm down," Shane but both hands on Sam's shoulders. "We're going to talk about this an a calm manner, you hear me," Sam took a few deep breaths and nodded.
"Lydia," Shane spoke and all three men looked at me. "You get back to work, alright? We'll sort this out," I nodded thankfully as he led Sam and Merle away. Shakily, I went back to hanging up the wet clothes.
That night after dinner, Sam came to bed at the same time as me. Usually he's one of the last ones up, talking around the fire. I retreat early in an attempt to fall asleep before he intrudes.
"I've been thinking," Sam said once I was under the covers. "Maybe it would be good to have a baby. It'd make Merle and Shane stop looking. They'd know you're mine then," I looked up at Sam, terrified. He was insane. He was absolutely out of his mind.
"I know it'd be harder now than before to raise a baby, but we're in a safe place with plenty of good people and supplies," He slipped into the sleeping bag we shared, wearing nothing but his boxers. "You know I'd never let anything happen to you. You wouldn't have to lift a finger. The only thing you'll have to worry about is you and the baby," His voice shook ever so slightly. Her touched his forehead to mine and I could feel how hard he was breathing. I was in full panic mode when his erection pressed against my thigh.
"No," I whimpered. The world barely made it out of my mouth.
"Yes," The way he said it I could tell I didn't really have a say in the matter. He caught my lips with his and I tried to push myself away. He was quick to get on top of me and hold me down.
"If you scream you're going to regret it," His threat was emotionless, simply a fact.
My legs shook violently as he pulled off my pants. Even though I knew I was trapped in this situation, I kept trying to get free. I let out a muffled cry as he entered me and suddenly all hope was lost. I let him do what he was going to do, not daring to make a sound. I cried during and after. He held me and shushed me, petting my head and telling me not to be scared. It was clear to me that he was getting off on my fear. I didn't sleep at all that night. I didn't even close my eyes.
I left the tent at the crack of dawn. A few people were awake and greeted me, but I ignored them. I went straight to the quarry, stripped naked, and waded in. There was no one down there, but even if there had been I wouldn't have cared. I just wanted to feel clean.
I stood shivering, waist deep in the water when I heard Lori's voice.
"Lydia," She sounded cautious. "Sweetie, are you alright?" I shook my head so slightly I knew she couldn't see it.
"Lydia!" My body went rigid. The water splashed violently behind me and Sam pulled me into his arms. "Sweetie, what are you doing out here? You'll freeze," He started hauling me back to shore. I started thinking about how peaceful it would be to drown.
Lori helped Sam take me back to camp and dry me off. They clothed me and set me in front of a fire. Lori stayed with me, rubbing my arms to warm me up. Sam ran off to get more blankets and something for me to eat. I stared at the fire, wondering how quickly I'd die if I just laid down in it.
"It's okay, honey. We're going to figure this out," Lori assured me, hugging me close to her. A small sob escaped my throat. I buried my face in her shoulder and cried harder than I ever had before. Sam returned moments later and draped a blanket over my shoulders.
I stood up quickly and backed away from Sam and Lori.
"Don't touch me!" I shrieked, holding my arms tightly around myself.