CHAPTER ELEVEN || SURVIVE

tw:
sexual assault,
assault,
the governor,
torture

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Alex was forced into a room separated from Glenn, Merle shoved her inside forcing her onto a chair, her hands bound to the chair behind her back. Merle left, locking the door behind him, her heart racing as she heard Glenn call out her name as Merle dragged him to another room. She bit her lip letting out a huff of frustration, how had she let this happen?

"I'm gonna kill you! you son of a bitch!" Alex yelled anger running through her veins, Glenn consuming her thoughts. He had to be okay, Alex couldn't handle another loss. not less than a week after Lori, And not Glenn. especially not now. her mind raced with thoughts of the boy who'd been taken to another room, the hairs on the back of her neck standing tall she had to get out of this she couldn't let this happen again. 

in the time they'd spent together, she'd finally begun considering his friendship, his constant selfless acts and generosity getting the better of her. Again her mind wandered to what Lori had said... The way he looks at her. Wondering what that meant as she internally begged he would be okay. she couldn't handle this again thoughts of her time in afghan filled her mind as she tugged at the restraints holding her wrists against the chair.

Time passed slowly as Alex looked around the room for anything that could help her out of this. but there was nothing, her blood ran cold as she heard Merle's voice echo through the room. tormenting Glenn. Using Alex against him. his voice filled the silence his words replaying Inalex's mind. 

Glenn's pained grunts then echoed into the room from where he was being held, squeezing her eyes shut her heart aching hearing Glenn in pain. Merle's voice echoed again, demanding to know where their camp is. She tugged at the restraints around her wrists hoping they'd break listening to Glenn's pained groans filled her with unease as her chest constricted. she couldn't listen to this. 

thud. The continuous sound of Merle's fist firmly making contact with Glenn's face echoed through Alex's soul, the hairs on the back of her neck standing tall as her hands became clammy as she struggled against the restraints. each thud that echoed through the room caused a piercing pain in her chest.

"I'll kill him. I swear to god I'm gonna kill him" Alex muttered under her breath, taking a deep breath, Merle's voice echoing through the room. the thudding of his fist against Glenn's face. it all made her skin crawl with anger as she felt a thick warm liquid run down her wrists paired with the pain from tugging at the restraints.

when the thudding eventually stopped she waited to hear Glenn's voice. She needed to hear his voice. Know he was still alive. The anxiety pooled in her stomach as silence filled the room, her heart violently pounding against his chest.  Then she heard it, his voice, weaker than she'd ever heard it before. bile rising in her throat.

then silence, and a door slam.

"Glenn?" she called, hoping he could hear as much as she could, the desperation in her voice something she never wanted to hear again. this was why. this was why she didn't want to be friends with him in the first place. She should've shot Merle on sight. 

"Alex.. are you okay?" She could barely hear him, his voice weak and tired she hear the pain that lingered in his voice. the pure sound causing an ache in her heart, her anxiety growing as she thought of the damage Merle could've done to the boy.

"I'm okay. I'll get us out of this okay Glenn? just hang on for me?" he nodded not that she could see him. not getting a verbal response from him filled her with more worry, yet he was Glad. He didn't want anything to happen to Alex, he'd gladly take it if it meant she would be okay. she'd been through too much already... merle could do what he wanted to Glenn, he didn't care as long as he didn't touch the girl in the other room. but little did he know she was thinking the same thing about him. 

a few minutes passed and the sound of the door clanging caught Alex's attention. Merle's voice, followed by the familiar growls. a walker. the room then filled with the sound of a struggle as the door closed again. Her heart raced. tears brimming her eyes as fear consumed her. thuds. bangs. Glenn's grunts. listening made Alex feel more helpless than she ever had before. The feeling reminding her of Eli, Lori. She couldn't handle it. her breathing became more frantic as tears pooled in her eyes. memories flashing in her mind. She couldn't breathe. it was coming back and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

the snarling stopped, followed by a powerful shout of frustration coming from Glenn. he was Alive.

**

what felt like Hours had passed by the time Alex heard the metal Click of the lock on her door. she'd managed to calm herself, avoid the inevitable... at least for now. the door creaked as it opened, Alex's head shot up expecting to see Merle. but she was wrong. She glared at a man she had never seen before, an evil look in his eye as he stepped into the room letting the door close behind him.

he stayed silent as Alex glared at him taking in his appearance, Pulling a knife from his waistband he slowly walked around the table cutting the tape that bound Alex's hands to the chair, letting her bloodied wrists free. The way he conducted himself made a chill run down Alex's spine as he walked back around the table pulling out the chair across from her.

"May I?" he asked gesturing down to the chair and asking if he could take a seat. Alex stayed silent, Her face emotionless as she glared at him, holding his eye contact. He thanked her and sat down Alex clenched her Jaw, something wasn't right. the look in his eye terrified her, she wouldn't show it. but it did. it reminded her of someone she met years ago.

"we'll take you back to your people, explain this was all just a misunderstanding... you tell us where they are and we'll drive you there." Alex licked her lips trying to control her anger and remain emotionless as she held his eye contact, her anger poking through. but her fear didn't. focus on one emotion... that's what she did last time. 

"I wanna talk to Glenn." her voice was monotone, not showing a single emotion to the man before her, despite the burning rage within her... she wanted proof he was okay, she wanted to check his injuries herself. she wouldn't believe a word that left this guy's mouth. 

"I can't allow that.. your people are dangerous. Handcuffed my man to a roof, forced him to amputate his own hand." Alex shrugged showing no remorse for her uncle's actions, she wished she could show him how dangerous she really was as she stared at him, his eyes burning through hers.

"I don't know shit about that. and even if I did, I'd say he clearly fucking deserved it." She spat keeping her composure, the pure anger running through her veins making her bite her tongue, the metallic taste of blood flooding her tastebuds.

"you just tell us where they are and we'll bring them here... you'll be safe I promise" he stated shaking his head at Alex's previous words, Alex scoffed. She knew the type. he would lie to get what he wants, he'd do anything to get what he wants. Alex stayed silent not wanting to play into his games. She knew the games all too well. and she wasn't gonna fall for them this time round. 

"no? Fine... let's try something else." Alex knew this was where it was going to go downhill. She was strong and a good fighter. but getting herself, and an injured Glenn out of this alive when she had no idea how many people this guy had, or the layout of where they were.. she knew she didn't stand a chance.

"stand up please" Alex clenched her jaw knowing she had no other choice yet she held her ground and remained seated holding his eye contact... bile rose in her throat as she realised what was going to happen. her heart skipped a beat as memories flashed before her eyes... she wanted to scream. she wanted to cry. but she'd done that before... it wouldn't make a difference.

"stand up." his voice was deeper, evil sending a shiver down her spine as he leant forward against the table. his eyes burning into hers as she gave in standing up. the chair she was sat on screeched against the floor as she did. She took a breath trying to mentally prepare herself... but she knew that wouldn't work, she knew if she got out of this alive it wouldn't matter. Her skin crawled knowing the type of torture she'd receive would be a lot different to what she'd just heard Glenn go through...

"take off your shirt." Alex glared down at him as she stood on the other side of the table. as he leaned back in the chair getting a better look at the girl before him. She tried fighting against her trembling lip as Naseua flooded through her veins. 

"I will rip your throat out." she threatened, her voice was calm, not a single bluff to be seen yet her words were only met with a smirk from the man as his eyes darkened. he found it amusing. 

"take your shirt off. or I'll bring Glenn's hand in here." those words shot an arrow right through Alex's heart. Clenching her jaw she tilted her head to the right anger consuming her, burning through her veins as she pulled her shirt off. she couldn't let him get hurt because of her. it happening to protect him was better than it just happening, right?

She threw her shirt to the floor, leaving herself in her bra, her dignity being stripped away. He stared at her his smirk growing as he took in the sight of her covered chest and defined abs from malnutrition the smirk on his face made nausea rush into Alex's stomach. he was sick. 

"go on" He continued, wanting Alex to discard her bra. Biting her lip in anger she reached round to her back undoing the clip that held her bra to her body the straps falling down her shoulders as she threw it on the floor with her shirt. She took a deep breath her eyes not falling from his as she tried to act stronger than she was. 

He took a shaky breath, taking in her appearance as he sat up in his chair Alex crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to preserve some of her dignity. She watched as he stood up, removing his belt from his body and laying it on the table Alex swallowed bile rising in her throat once again as her body burned with anger. a familiar feeling of disgust causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. 

He walked around the table, and the closer he got to her, the fear began emerging. he stood beside the majority of his body behind hers so close she could feel his breath on her shoulder sending an unpleasant shiver down her spine. the chair scratched against the floor again as he pushed it away giving him more space to position his body behind her. Alex's heart was racing, she could feel the blood pulsating in her ears. She stared at the wall in front of her hoping he wouldn't drag it out. She wanted her uncle.

"you don't scare easy now do you" he whispered tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she froze. the words making the nausea in the pit of her stomach worse as her mouth watered wanting to empty the contents of her stomach. One of his hands wandered down her stomach to the top of her jeans, his hand lingered in her hair while the other undid the button on the front of her jeans, she took a shaky breath trying to control her breathing as memories flooded her brain. she had to control it. she couldn't let the dam break. 

"It's a shame.. that's the part I enjoy the most" he whispered his fingers running through her hair. Alex squeezed her eyes shut fear creeping up on her yet she couldn't let it show. She wouldn't. this was it. whether she survived or not she was gone... 

He played with her hair leaning closer to her, her heart racing as he inhaled her scent. his hand gripped the back of her neck slamming her against the table a grunt of pain left her lips as he did, a wave of pain rushing through her head and neck as he held her firmly against the table.  catching sight of the tattoo down her back he let out a content sigh, as his fingers traced along it and he hummed.

"why would such a beautiful girl get something like this" he whispered talking to himself, Alex felt sick, his words made her skin crawl... then his fingers ran along the scars. the scars that littered her back. the feeling of his fingers against them made her heart stop as she struggled against his grip only for him to tighten his hold on her body. 

"hmm, where are these from?" he questioned tracing the scars with his fingers making Alex inhale sharply, the contents of her stomach making its way back up as she swallowed. She stayed silent. his fingers leaving a trail of disgust on her body, one she would never forget. he leaned down pressing his body against her as his hand pressed Alex's face against the table.

"so you gonna talk?" He questioned, the anger in her body now mixed with fear and disgust as she looked at the wall beside her wanting it to be over, she wasn't saying shit. carl, Glenn and the baby her priorities.

"you do whatever you're gonna do. I ain't saying shit... go fuck yourself" she scoffed, no matter what he did to her she could never put Carl and that Baby in danger. no one else could get hurt because of her. his hands moved down her back as he pressed himself against her, before letting go and walking off to the side leaving the room.

**

Alex sat on the chair her arms crossed over her chest covering herself for what felt like seconds, she'd been so consumed in her thoughts. stuck in the memory of what just happened, what had happened before. She hadn't realised the time had passed until he opened the door again, bile instantly rising in her throat, the look in her eyes one of nothing... she felt nothing.

she looked up at him with a glare as he grabbed her arm pulling her to her feet and dragging her out of the room. his hand on her arm filling her body with the same fear that consumed her the last time, but it was different this time, she'd accepted it. she was gone, either way, she just wanted Glenn alive. 

he dragged her out of the room and down the hall to another room, her heart racing when she saw what was behind the next door. Merle and another man holding a gun pointed toward a bloodied Glenn. Alex's arms still covered her chest as Glenn took in the sight of her. his heart dropped as she saw her, taking in her appearance... his face fell as anger consumed him, he was in the next room, only a wall separating them.. how had he let this happen...

"we're done with games.. now one of you is gonna give up your camp." Alex looked up to see the man still holding her arm clock a gun as he pointed it towards Glenn. the tension in the room thickened taking a breath Tears brimmed in Alex's eyes. Glenn stayed silent until the man turned the gun pointing it at Alex's temple.

"the prison."