I don't own TWD or any of the characters; only my OC's. Sorry for any grammar mistake, enjoy!
*Third week of April 2014*
Amelie swallowed the painful lump in her throat as she wrote in an old notebook. This was a letter for Theo; one she had not written yet. At the very beginning with the kid, she had marked down instructions for Amber and Tom if she'd die…Since she was preparing her escape plan, Negan had been added to the recipients of the letters.
A tear fell from Amelie's eye; this decision had been hard to make, but she couldn't stay here anymore. The young woman had tried to think of everything, of every possibility and option…there wasn't one where she could leave with Theo.
Together, they would both be killed. If she leaves without him, Negan would hurt him just for the sake of revenge.
Then, she had come up with this idea… One the Saviors' leader had unwittingly given her.
'' You will not fucking return to Canada alive.'' He had said when she had pleaded with him some time ago to let her travel back to her country.
If she could not go back to Canada alive, then she would go as a dead person. Amelie had thought this over and it was her best option.
However, she had to part with Theo, her little boy.
If the Saviors thought her dead; if Negan thought her dead, he would take care of Theo instead of hurting him. He would be adopted by someone, she was sure. Maybe even Amber or Negan himself…that would be best.
The girl swore to herself that she would come back for him someday. She would come back when he was older; then they could go together.
The young woman scrunched her eyes close: this was so hard…anything could happen…what if no one took care of him? What if he's abandoned? She shook her head; no…this could not happen.
She kept writing, she wrote in French for him. She wrote how much she loved him and how she was sorry for her 'death' and leaving him there. That, someday, they would meet again.
With a shuddering sigh, she closed the notebook and put it at its place; only Theo and She knew where it was. The little boy knew what to do if she didn't come back to the Sanctuary; he had to give the book to Amber.
And she knew he would.
Xxxxxx
The young woman was sitting with Theo in the factory's cafeteria when Negan suddenly appeared at her side, greeting her with a nip on her right ear. Lately, the man was doing a lot of stuff like this. The dynamic of their 'relationship', if she could call it that, had changed since she had offered him the gift for Lucille. One more reason to leave this awful place.
He stretched an arm around her to ruffle Theo's hair: '' What's up?'' he asked, biting into an apple.
''Amelie taught me how to sharpen a blade!'' He exclaimed happily.
'' That's fucking nice; she's making a warrior out of you? '' he said, playing along.
The little boy's face became solemn and he nodded: '' I will be strong and kill biters.''
Negan laughed, gently squeezed her neck and returned to his meal. Amelie glanced at Theo: '' Kid, eat your veggies.'' She said, pointing at the canned vegetables in his plate.
The little boy pouted: '' I don't like that.''
She frowned; he was often doing things of this kind at the meals: '' It's good for you…Theo, you're lucky to have these to eat: they are people out there starving.''
'' Then maybe we should give my veggies to them.'' He said.
Amelie narrowed her eyes at him; what a little smartass.
The tall man at her side burst out laughing: '' Holy fucking shit! '' He patted her back. '' He is truly raised by you.''
She glared at Negan: '' Don't encourage him.'' She looked at Theo: '' Eat your vegetables and don't make me repeat it.''
The kid crossed his arms over his chest, but then Negan became serious: '' Kiddo, listen to her and eat what's in your plate.'' He told him, using a stern voice.
Surprisingly, the child obeyed and began to eat again. Well, she supposed men were emitting more authority, particularly this one.
The leader pushed his nose against her temple and muttered quietly: '' Guess I'm not that bad with kids.''
Xxxxxx
*April 26th 2014*
The young woman watched her kid sleeping; he was so peaceful. It wouldn't be so for some time after today and it broke her heart. The sun was just rising, letting a pale, pinkish light into their room.
She still wasn't sure if it was the right decision.
She looked at the red scarf in her hands and deposed it on the bed next to him; if she'd bring it with her it would be suspicious. A single detail like this could ruin her plan; Negan wasn't easily fooled.
With a deep breath, the girl silently exited the building with her a small back pack and her hunting material. She couldn't bring much; again, it could alert the guards at the door. She had dried provisions, water, a map and a rope in her bag; nothing more.
At the door, Dwight saluted her: '' It's a nice day to hunt!''
She nodded: ''Yes; I'll bring you guys a big buck back!'' She exclaimed with faked enthusiast.
He grinned and made a sign at the other men to open the gates.
Xxxxxx
She had been walking for two hours, making noise and drawing as many undead as she could. The girl had grabbed the hare she had caught and hidden in a stream two days ago: she needed fresh blood. The Saviors would know otherwise that it wasn't her blood if she'd used anything else.
Amelie stopped and looked around; here it was perfect. It would make a good death scene. She cut open the rabbits' throat and let its blood drip on the ground. She killed a few walkers and broke branches around.
She spilled blood again.
The young woman pierced a zombie's head with her pocket knife and left it in the skull; she didn't want to part with the small weapon, but it would give some credits to the scene. The girl decapitated three other dead; she then put some blood on their arms.
She stayed there for a long time, shouting and drawing more and more walkers; if there wasn't enough of their corpses around, they would be skeptical. She didn't die so easily; she was fast and careful.
When the young woman judged it was enough; she surveyed the scene. There were twelve undead bodies there, 'her' blood splattered at many places, her knife…broken branches and marks in the trees.
Good.
She cleaned her blades and looked at the sun's position; she wouldn't head north immediately. It could also raise questions. She would go west first for a few kilometers then traveled toward the Canada.
A tear escaped her again; she couldn't stop thinking about Theo. She was being selfish and she knew it…but she couldn't support things there anymore. She was making the weak choice… she just couldn't bear Negan's attentions and touch.
Amelie needed to be free again, to be her own master…and this is what she was doing now.
Xxxxxx
*two days later, April 28th 2014*
'' Boss…we-we found something.'' One of his men stuttered.
They had searched the forest around for a whole day already.
Negan glanced at him with hard eyes: '' Where? ''
'' A few kilometers from here…I- it's…you'll see.'' Dwight mumbled softly.
Their leader's face tightened into something surly and he tapped a few times on the truck roof, indicating the driver to go. They headed toward the place in car first and then the group walked there the rest of the way.
The leather clad man frowned at the scene his men had found. '' Have you looked for tracks going North? ''
'' We did Sir…there are no tracks going in that direction.''
Dwight came near him: '' Boss…there is too much blood.''
Yes, yes he could see that himself. There were puddles of the red liquid here and there… There was even some on the walkers around.
'' We didn't touch anything…it is just as we found it. '' Connor said.
Negan crouched near a biter's head; her pocket knife was stuck into it. He pulled it free and rose. He then walked to a little pool of blood and dipped his fingers in it before bringing them to his nose: it was fresh…not rotten and stinking like a zombie's.
'' There are many bodies…There was most likely a herd or something; she was probably overwhelmed and bitten... or clawed.'' Dwight whispered.
The Saviors' leader closed his eyes tightly and hit the nearest tree with his fist. He breathed deeply: '' Fuck…Have you found…her?''
The men around shook their head: '' She…she must have turned by now and could be anywhere.''
'' We're going back to the fucking Sanctuary.'' He said harshly.
Xxxxxx
With a heavy heart and not really knowing what to say, Negan slowly made his way to the second floor of the warehouse. Amelie's kid was there, reading a book. His eyes landed on the red scarf on the bed; she would not have gone without it… The man bit the inside of his cheeks; it just confirmed things.
He cleared his throat: '' Kiddo…''
Theo turned his head toward him: '' Have you found Amelie?! Is she alright?''
The man looked down: '' Kid… I don't know how to tell you this…but…Your mom won't be back.''
The little boy frowned, confused: '' Why? ''
Negan headed toward the kid and knelt beside him, placing his large hand on his thin shoulder: '' She just… won't be back kiddo…'' He whispered.
The child seemed to understand and his eyes filled with tears: '' They said that last time and she came back with you! '' He protested loudly.
The tall man shook his head: '' Not this time.''
A pitiful, little sob escaped the kid and tears fell from his eyes. Negan didn't know what to do; he pulled the child into his arms, pressing him against his chest. For the first time in a very long time, he wanted to cry. The leader had thought he was over this shit; it was the apocalypse…people fucking died all the fucking time!
And now, things felt different.
Xxxxxx
*the day after, 29th April 2014*
He sat silently in his office, a drink in hand and lost in thoughts. There was a soft knock on the door; Amber came in uninvited.
'' Negan?'' she softly inquired.
The man did not even look at her: '' What?'' He said flatly.
'' I- Amelie had prepared something… in case she died…''
This got his interest. He looked up at his wife; Amber's eyes were red and puffy. The woman placed folded pieces of paper wrapped in a string on his desk. Tears were now streaming down her face: '' Theo brought me this, this afternoon. Those are for you.''
She squeezed his hand and left; leaving him alone with the little package. Negan stared at it for a few minutes before opening it; it was a letter:
-Negan,
If you read this, something happened to me. I don't know what, but something definitively happened.
He scoffed; that little fucker had even planned something in case she died. The man was not surprised; he kept reading.
First of all, you're an asshole. Sorry, but it's true and I wanted to tell you for a long time. That being said and knowing were not even friends; I need to ask you a favor, my last one.
The man let out a dry laugh without any joy in it.
I know you already know what I'm going to ask; Theo. He will need someone to watch over him; to teach him how to survive. I know you're not a parent and I'm not demanding you to be one. Amber will do that. What I'm asking of you is to make sure he has everything he needs and that no one threatens him. I'm asking you to teach him how to shoot later, how to kill a walker, how to defend himself. Theo is an intelligent boy; he'll learn fast…And I know you were a teacher before; don't try to discover how I've learnt that…I just know. So you should not have problems teaching him anything.
Negan scowled; how the Hell did she know that? He had told no one.
This was all I wanted to ask you, but do me one more favor and grow your own garden and stop harassing the other communities. I know you won't listen, but it was worth a try.
He chuckled again.
I have something to tell you; you remember the military truck I told you about? Well, I am giving you its emplacement now. Don't get me wrong; I want those weapons in your hands so you can protect my kid better. There is no other reason. I have hidden the instructions in a book in my room. The piece of paper is at the page 237 of A Tale of two cities by Charles Dickens. You should read the book too.
No fucking way. His eyes were wide open; that weasel.
Well, that is all. Take care of my kid and Amber for me please. I never told you, but I actually did enjoy our little games. I would say 'tenderly' or 'with love', but that would be a stupid lie: I don't like you.
Salut,
Amelie Martel. –
The Savior slowly put the letter on his desk and sat back in his chair, a baffled air on his face. That Canadian…
xxxxxx
Life on the road had been hard; but it was nothing she wasn't used to. Amelie had found a car on the fourth day of travel, drove on small roads and she finally arrived in her country. She just knew she was there by smelling the air and looking at the landscapes. Being on her own in her country made her feel free again. After the events with the Saviors, she decided to spend the spring and the summer alone in her country; the young woman just wasn't ready to face people again. The girl resided in an abandoned shack in the wood, hunted and ate berries. She went hungry a few times, but not enough to regret to Sanctuary and her three meals a day. Amelie often thought of Theo and hoped he was well. She still felt guilty about leaving him there, but his safety was at stake. Traveling in the new world with Negan on your heels wasn't the definition of 'safe'.
When the autumn came, she traveled back south, making sure to avoid the communities in Virginia. After days of looking for a place to stay, she found two men traveling alone in the forest. They were trying to find survivors. One would approach the group first and the other would stay hidden only appearing to protect his companion. Amelie had grinned to herself; they thought themselves clever…the pair thought no one was seeing them. She had to admit they were silent and subtle…After hours of observation, she decided these men weren't dangerous. The two of them were saving people. The girl finally appeared behind them and coughed loudly; one screamed and they abruptly spun around.
Amelie cocked her head: ''Hi.''
One man placed his palm over his chest to calm his breathing and the other's hand was on his pistol: '' Hello…did-were you following us? '' he asked, panting.
'' I wanted to see if you were dangerous.'' She said adopting a friendly tone and posture; she let her hands hanging by her sides, away from her blades.
The other one seemed to calm down: '' I'm Eric; this is Aaron. What's your name?''
''Amelie. I saw you were recruiting…and I'm looking for a place to stay during the winter.''
Aaron smiled: '' You found the right people! Are you alone? ''
She nodded. Eric narrowed his eyes at her; the man was more careful than his friend.
'' If you follow us, we'll bring you to a safe place. It's called Alexandria, the Safe-Zone.''
It was her turn to narrow her eyes: '' You're not eating people, aren't you?'' She asked.
Amelie had seen some weird stuff on her way here…
Aaron's eyes widened: '' No, no! Don't be afraid. You come and see and if you don't like it, you can leave…''
His words reassured her and she nodded again: ''Lead the way.''