13 Chapter 13: Reunion

My door instantly swings open the moment we arrived through the gates of the Sanctuary.

I don't even wait for Negan to say anything, I run all the way to the cells where they're keeping Nate without evening looking back once.

"Baby?" I yell down the hallway that they keep the prisoners, hoping for a response.

"c-carmen?" I hear a faint voice call from behind one of the doors.

My eyes quickly swell up with tears that cloud my vision.

"Nate, It's me, just hold on, I'm coming!" I frantically look around for a Savior, usually someone is here on watch duty with the keys.

"Hey! What are you doing down here!"

I turn around at the voice, its Opie. I haven't seen him since that day that I took his laundry.

"Negan said I can see him" I try to explain to him, although I'm short of breath from all the running I did earlier.

Opie looks me up and down with suspicion, then pulls out his walkie talkie, "Negan, I've got your wife down here saying that you told her she could see Nate"

Him referring to me as Negan's "wife" makes my blood boil, but I know I can't say anything or he might decide to be a dick about the situation.

"She's telling the truth, give her a couple of minutes but don't leave her in there with him alone"

Opie shrugs his shoulder, then takes out his keys, "you heard the rules, don't give me a hard time" he says opening the door.

I run past Opie and straight into Nate's arms. "I missed you so much," I say as we kiss each other passionately.

"I missed you too hun" he pulls away from the kiss and holds my face in his hands, "has he hurt you?"

I quickly shake my head, "no, I'm okay" I then take a moment to examine his bruised body, "have they been beating you this whole time?" my voice cracks, struggling to ask the question.

"no, sweetheart. I had a little confrontation with Dwight when he first put me down here, That's all" he says putting on a tough exterior.

I slide my hand across the tiny scratch on this face, "I promise, I'm gonna try to get you out of here"

He flashes me a loving smile and grabs my waist, pushing his lips against mines again. We both moan into each other's mouths, savoring the feeling.

"I'm yours, forever, I don't care what Negan wants"

"I know you are, Carmen, stay strong for me" he looks me deep into my eyes, I can tell that he wants to cry but his pride won't let him.

"Time's up!" Negan yells through the walkie talkie, as Opie stands by the door watching us.

"Come on, " Opie walks up to me from behind and grabs the back of my shirt.

"Don't touch my fucking wife!" Nate snaps at him, letting go of our embrace.

"No, Nate, don't yell at him. I have to go or Negan won't let me come see you again" I fight back tears, trying to calm him down.

He stares Opie down for a few seconds then turns his attention back to me, "I know" he sighs, "but before you go I need you to hear me out"

I wipe the tears away then nod my head.

"Do whatever Negan tells you, in order to stay safe. I don't want you getting hurt over this shit"

"ok, Nate" I hug him tightly one last time.

"I love you," I say as Opie motions me out of the cell,

"I love you too," he says back just before the door closes.

"Let's go" Opie grabs my arms and begins walking me back to Negan's room.

"I can get there by myself" I pout snatching away from him.

"Negan will be mad if I don't escort you"

"Whatever, " I huff under my breath and start walking ahead of him.

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"How was the visiting, darling!" Negan asks in an oddly cheerful manner.

"Alright" is all I say, pushing past him to enter the room.

"woah, what's with the attitude? You should be fucking grateful I let you do that shit"

A switch flips in Negan's energy.

First, he was his normal playful and passive aggressive self but now his face reads nothing but pure anger.

"Why, do you want me to be your wife when it's so obvious how miserable I am?" I yell, not thinking about how he is going to take it.

"Carmen, honey, we better not be backsliding" he struts over to me, lifting my chin with his hand as I sit on the edge of the bed.

A lone tear escapes me, dripping on to his fingers.

"Aww, don't cry" he leans down and tries to kiss me but I forcibly snatch away before he can.

"Don't fucking disrespect me, doll!" he unexpectedly grabs a fist full of my hair, pulling me to stand up.

I scream out in pain as his grip gets tighter.

"This is how you treat me after I reward you, huh?" he talks loudly directly into my ear.

"Please, stop, you're hurting me!" I plea to him, struggling to get away.

"Shut the fuck up, whining isn't gonna save you!" he finally lets go of me and throws me face first into the bed.

I try to get up but his hand comes down to hold me in place, "I guess it's time for your first punishment"