Hey guys! I'm pretty excited for this chapter!! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! I look forward to reading your comments!

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Jo

Dwight and Simon each took an arm and led me through the narrow twisting hallways. The  power for The Sanctuary must have been out which made it even more difficult to tell where we were heading. A woman led the way with a flashlight once we reached a set of stairs and went down. She kept throwing nervous glances over her shoulder at me. It looked like my reputation proceeded me. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing in this place or a bad thing.

I worked to try and remember every turn, but the truth was it was dark and my head was spinning with the too quick movements so soon after a concussion. We were in the basement, I knew that much. It smelled musky down here, like damp and walkers and death.

We passed a man who was mopping, which seemed odd given what was happening outside, but he only nodded respectfully to the two men dragging me and kept on with his work. The smell of cleaning supplies burned my nose and I sneezed. It had been a long time since I smelled ammonia, and yet somehow it didn't seem to be able to fully cover up the scent of death.

"Don't worry, we've got a special room just for you hellcat," Simon said chuckling cruelly.

On my other arm Dwight was silent.

"It's the same room your hubby got when he was here. Yep, it was where he received all that special treatment Negan had D dish out. He been acting okay? Hasn't scared ya has he?" Simon feigned concern and it was all I could do to keep myself from attacking him.

Dwight's hand tightened on my arm and I couldn't tell if it was meant to be a warning or reassuring. He wasn't exactly a friend, but he was the closet thing I had to an ally in this place. I only hoped Daryl was wrong about him.

The hallway was lined with doors and they practically dragged me to the one at the end. They shoved it open and in the flickering light of the flashlight I saw the room. It was a ten by ten reinforced closet. Nothing but cinderblock and pipe  with the occasional splash of what I assumed was blood on the wall.

It was a cell.

Suddenly, it didn't matter who was friend or foe. They were trying to put me in a cell.

My breath caught and I made a strangled noise in the back of my throat that sounded vaguely animalistic. I started thrashing in their grip and the woman screeched. My heartbeat thundered in my ears so loudly I couldn't hear what they were yelling at one another.

I kicked out at both of them, aiming for their knees, groins, insteps, shins...I didn't care. I had to get away. I couldn't go back. I couldn't let myself be put back in a cell. I slammed my elbow into something soft and someone swore loud enough for me to hear above my fighting.

Then something cracked against my skull and I fell. When my head hit the wall everything went dark.

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Jo

"Jo?" someone was saying my name and flashing a light in my eyes. As I regained full consciousness I jerked back from them. I skittered away on all fours until my back hit a wall. Then I rocked forward into a crouch so I was ready to fight, ready to attack.

"Wait wait wait!" a man's voice called. "It's me," he said and he shined the light at his face. "It's Doctor Carson. From Hilltop!" his voice was tight with fear and the flashlight turned his face into a horrific mask of shadows and light. "I patched you up at the Hilltop, remember?"

I frowned up at him. His words sounded distant, like I was underwater. I slowly nodded. It was pitch black all around me but I could feel the walls. The cell. They were so close they made it difficult to breathe.

The cell.

"I can't remember," he said moving towards me slowly in a crouch, like he was approaching an injured animal. "How did you get hurt back at Hilltop again?" despite his rigid body his voice was light and soft.

I double blinked at him. He was crouching in front of me, his arms loose, one of his hands holding the small pen light. Behind him the door was open and I could see the shadow of at least four armed men. One of them shone their flashlight in my eyes and I flinched, looking down and away as pain burned behind my eyes.

"Stop that!" Carson snapped, glaring over his shoulder at whoever had done it. "She's injured."

"I don't like how she's looking at me," a man's voice rumbled. I vaguely recognized the voice, but with the pain pounding in my temples it hurt too much to think about it. It didn't really matter anyway. I was stuck.

In the cell.

"She is creepy as shit," someone else agreed, but their voices faded out as my eyes drooped. "I didn't believe the stories-"

"Jo!" Carson snapped my name and I flinched. "You and Daryl came to see me in Hilltop, do you remember why?" he asked and it felt like it might be important.

I sighed and it took too much effort to remember. "One of your guys choked me," I said and my hand ghosted over the skin of my neck as I remembered the injury.

"Yes," he agreed coming closer. "And Daryl saved you," he said putting special emphasis on Daryl's name. I frowned and looked up at him. "Then Daryl stayed with us while I looked you over. And I had thought he might be the one who hurt you but-"

I shook my head and my voice was a low rasp. "He wouldn't," I said and I felt weirdly distant like I was stuck in a dream. Or a nightmare.

"You're hurt again," Doctor Carson snapped. "I need to take a look at your head and make sure your skull isn't fractured."

That did get my attention. I pulled back and looked up at him so fast it made my vision blur around the edges. He nodded firmly to me.

"Okay," I agreed.

"I'm going to come closer to you," he explained as he moved towards me. "And the others are going to stay back there," he spoke too loudly for how close he was to me and I wondered if it was for the other's benefit. Either way, they seemed content to not have to enter the cell.

Then the doctor was right in front of me. He smelled like sterile alcohol and- my thoughts scattered again.

"How badly are you really hurt?" his voice was low near my ear. Then he spoke loudly. "I'm going to touch your head."

"I don't know," I whispered to him honestly. Because while Dwight's loyalty would always be a question mark, I genuinely believed Doctor Carson and I were on the same side. He had been kind to me at Hilltop and he had taken good care of Maggie. "I can't think but I don't know how much is physical."

"I'm going to clean up some of the blood," he announced loud enough for our audience to hear. He lifted gauze out of the bag I hadn't noticed earlier. He doused it with a small amount of water from a bottle and someone behind him made a noise of protest.

"We can't waste-"

Carson glared over his shoulder at him. "Do you want to explain to your boss why someone he ordered me to take care of did not receive the full medical care possible?" he challenged. "What happens if her injury becomes serious? What do you think Negan will do then?"

The men shifted uncomfortably and Carson looked back at me. "Drink this," he ordered handing me the rest of the bottle of water as he worked to clean the blood off the side of my face. The pain from his ministrations helped me focus.

"I'll do what I can for you," he promised me in a low voice. I nodded once so he would know I was tracking what he was saying, though it was difficult. Once my face was clean he pulled out a small bottle of alcohol. "This will sting," he said loudly.

"Doctor," I said in a low voice. "I'm-" I started to say and I drew in a breath as the cold alcohol burned in the cut on my head. "I'm not safe," I whispered to him.

"Negan has ordered his men to-" he started to reassure me. I was sure Negan has warned his men off me, but that wasn't my concern.

"That's not what I meant," I told him and I let him see in my eyes what I meant.

His hands hesitated inches above my skin. He swallowed and very gently placed the bandage on my head as though he wasn't quite sure he should be touching me.

"All your scars," he whispered to me.

"I told you, Daryl rescued me, but I learned to keep myself safe until he got there," and I stopped trying to hide everyone that was raging in my head. I was in a cell again, that person, that thing that turned on, that darkness was only centimeters away.

The doctor swallowed and nodded a few too many times. "Well-" he started to say and his voice was tight with tension. His instincts had just kicked in a they told him their was a predator in the room.

"Well?" Simon's voice was sharp at the back of the group. "Will she live?"

Doctor Carson stood up, working hard not to show his fear. "Yes," he said nodding nervously. "But I should probably check on her tomorrow just to be sure she's okay," his eyes caught mine once more and despite his fear, he held my gaze. "She's weak, she has a concussion. She needs to be monitored and to rest."

"Yeah, we'll see about that," Simon said chuckling and he pulled the Doctor out of the room and slammed the door behind him, leaving me in the dark.

Leaving me in the cell.

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Daryl

The walkers were in the trailer.

The voice on the walkie talkie echoed through my brain over and over as I stood rooted in place. Fear chokes me. If they had gotten into the trailer than...I couldn't let myself think what mighta happened. What mighta happened to her.

I closed my eyes and pressed my fists against my eyes as I forced myself to keep it together. Freaking out wasn't going to help anyone. Least of all Jo.

Chances were Jo was working her own angle, trying to get herself out of this, and I just had to keep moving forward with my plan and trust she was out there somewhere doing the same. She wasn't dead. She couldn't be.

If she had gotten away then my plan wouldn't effect her. She was already safe and on her way home. I just needed to catch up to her.

If she was hold up someplace else then the distraction would help her get away. She could get clear of the herd and meet me at home.

And if they had taken her, then I would do whatever I had to in order to make sure those bastards all died in there. I would tear the walls down with my bare hands to get her away from that bastard. My chest tightened as flashes of memory of what they did to me blindsided me.

I shook my head. I needed to stay sharp and do what needed to be done.

"Come on," I said, my voice gruff. "Let's go."

Michonne looked after Rosita unsure if she should follow, but when she met my eyes she nodded resolutely. "For Jo," she said firmly.

Morgan nodded to each of us and headed back towards his lookout tower. I nodded to Michonne and swallowed thickly before swinging up into the truck.

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Jo

I don't know how long I had been in there or when exactly it was I started moving. But I had lost count of the number of sets I had done but sweat soaked my clothes and skin.

I couldn't stop moving. It felt like if I stopped moving I was going to loose my mind. Like every piece of myself would shatter and all that would be left was that thing that lived in the back of my head. It had been years I think. Two winters for sure since Woodbury, since that cell, and now I was in another one. And I was slipping. It hadn't been that long. A day, maybe two? They had brought food twice, but it meant nothing in the dark. A day and I was losing everything I had fought for, worked for, bled for.

I pinched my eyes shut and pushed my body harder, faster.

I don't know how much time had passed when I heard muffled voices outside. I hesitated in a mid-push up, holding myself up in a plank as I strained to make out what they were saying. I recognized that it took more effort than it should.

I had two guards outside my door. I had figured out that much. They sat on chairs flanking the door. I didn't know time, but I had been through three guard changes. This group was more the strong silent type for which I was thankful. The last two were obnoxiously chatty and it took all my focus to tune them out. They almost made me miss Martinez.

There was a knock on the door and I frowned. "It's Eugene Porter. Doctor Eugene Porter," he corrected himself and I started doing push ups again. I didn't want to listen to a single thing that cowardly asshole had to say. Nothing that came out of his mouth would help me.

But he didn't seem to take the hint and rambled on. "We were neighbors. Traveling companions. We ate dog together so I imagine that joins us in some manner for life. I'm here to formally welcome you to The Sactuary. In our current siege the prickly heat alone might be enough to turn you off the place so I took it upon myself to...bring you some welcome wagon items in hopes of providing some relief."

The truth was I hadn't even noticed the heat, not really. I continued to do push ups, pushing myself faster and faster hoping my pounding heart would drown out the sound of his voice.

There was another knock when I didn't respond. "I ah, I know you can hear me. But the guards out here have decided you can't be trusted with so much as the pillow I brought, believing you to be too dangerous to-"

I collapsed. It felt gradual and incredibly sudden all at the same time. I fell forward, my body slamming against the bare concrete floor. I lay on the floor. My cheek pressed against the cool, slick concrete as my whole body heaved with the effort to catch my breath. I didn't have the energy to even lift my face. I let my eyes drift closed.

One of the guards spoke to Eugene. "You think she would help us? She doesn't care. She was married to that redneck asshole Negan tortured. Why would she help us? You're an idiot."

"I am not," Eugene corrected. "Jo is one of the most skilled at survival I have ever encountered male or female. She is able to dispatch walkers with Terminator-like skills, John Wayne-style efficiency all the while looking like Audrey Hepburn in a leather jacket. And as I have born witness she does not leave others to die when she might stop it. She is smart and will see the rational behind my argument. Now, open this door."

I was surprised to hear a key slipping into the lock. Despite my exhaustion I rolled myself up so I was crouching when the door opened. My sweat damp hair hung forward in my eyes. I rested one hand on the floor, balancing myself so I would be ready to launch myself at them if they attacked. 

Even though there was only one flashlight between them I had grown so accustomed to the dark it burned my eyes.

"I don't think this is a good idea," the guard on the right said. I heard more than saw her shift her weight nervously.

Eugene glared down at the slim woman. "I'll have you know I have been charged by none other than Negan himself to save this place and I believe my former associate here has the wherewithal to see that through. She has aced this type of situation before, both in the written and practical."

The woman swallowed and lowered her gaze. "If half the stories I've heard are true-"

"I assure you they all are, and then some," Eugene replied briskly. "However I have it on good authority from none other than Doctor Carson himself that Jo was injured. Had her bell wrung soundly enough she is about as dangerous as a kitten right now," Eugene cocked his head to the side as he stared at me. "Though she is looking a might feverish," he said taking another step into the room. "Given what we know about the potential for life threatening illness when gutting up, to use the colloquialism, we had better summon the Doctor back down here pronto before our best chance of freedom ends up six feet under." 

I tensed even more. My exhausted and shaking muscles coiling impossibly tighter. Eugene was not my friend, and in some ways he was even more dangerous then the guards with guns. He was a coward, and cowardice couldn't be trusted because it didn't just mean being afraid. It meant putting yourself before anyone else always, it could be devious and sly. Dangerous. 

"She's fine. She's been working out since she got in here." The guard on the left grumbled. "This is the first she's stopped." 

Eugene frowned and looked back at me. "You're hurt. You should be resting," he moved again and his foot caught on one of my plates of untouched food. He stumbled and shone his flashlight down to see what clattered. "You haven't been eating," he observed then he lifted the beam back at my face. I watched him process all he was seeing, but just like before he wasn't able to think past his own agenda. 

"Jo," he said. "I have been charged by none other than Negan himself to save the people of this place. And as much as you might dislike the past relations with the people of this community you must admit their company tag line is a noble one. They believe in saving people. That is something I have always believed you," when I didn't react he licked his lips. "I believe it was something you and Abraham had in common." 

I saw red when he mentioned Abraham's name. I launched myself at him without thought. I slammed into him, grabbing him by the shirt and whipping him around so I was between him and the guards. So they would have to go through me to get him back. He instantly went limp in my hands and when I flung him at the wall he whimpered and went down. 

Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind. I locked my grip around their wrist, I twisted until the bones snapped and the guard howled. I turned at the same moment and slammed my knee up between his legs as hard as I could. He crumpled to the floor. 

"Get some help in here!" The woman yelled and she was backing towards the door pointing her gun at me. Her hand was shaking and she wasn't firing. So I was betting Negan had ordered them not to hurt me. It was a risk to trust their fear of Negan prevailing over their fear of me. 

I took two running strides towards her and she yelled. She fired her gun over my shoulder I think to try and frighten me. It didn't work. I didn't stop. I shoved her gun hand straight up and swung with my other fist, catching her across the jaw. She staggered away from me and lost her balance, landing on her hands and knees at my feet. 

A male voice yelled from the hallway. "NO!" It was Simon's voice. 

I kicked the woman in the chest and she flipped over. I grabbed her hand gun. My head swam as I straightened, but I pushed myself past the pounding headache and nausea. 

"Jo," Eugene called my name. "They'll kill you," his voice was trembling with fear and I turned towards him menacingly. "There's too many for you to fight. You know that." 

I could hear running footsteps in the hall. I knew Simon was out there and Negan's soldiers were coming with him. I had no doubt Negan wouldn't be far behind. Someone would have run to tell him his prized prisoner was acting up. 

I leveled the gun at Eugene.

He whimpered and pinched his eyes closed as he rolled in on himself and started sobbing. I stalked to him and pressed the gun against his forehead. He sobbed harder. I was absolutely disgusted by him. 

"They killed him," I growled. I wouldn't be able to fight my way out of that hallway. I wasn't stupid enough to think that. But I also knew I wouldn't get another chance like this. They wouldn't make the same mistake twice. This was my chance. 

Eugene's eyes were wide with panic but I could still see the confusion beyond that. He wasn't following my train of thought. 

"Abraham," I growled out his name. "They killed him. He was your friend and now you're best buddies with the man who killed him," my voice was hoarse and gravelly.

Someone came up behind me and I felt the barrel of a rifle press against the back of my skull almost painfully. It took every piece of determination and control I possessed not to react to the new threat. I wouldn't let Simon see my fear. I refused to react. 

"Give me a reason to put a bullet in your skull," Simon's voice was low so only Eugene and I could hear it. "Negan wants you alive, but no piece of ass is worth our people's lives. No matter how badass you are." 

I could hear the conviction in Simon's voice and I recognized it for the danger it posed. Negan didn't have as much control over Simon as he appeared to. I filed that away for something that might help me later, but for now, I didn't stop. I pressed my gun harder against Eugene's skin. 

Eugene whimpered. 

"Jo!" Negan's voice bellowed from the hallway. "Don't you dare pull that trigger," Negan's voice was a warning and I didn't know if he was talking to me or to Simon.  

I kept my focus on Eugene. "He protected you," I said and I could see my words meant nothing to him. 

"Put the gun down Jo," Negan's voice was right behind me now. 

"Coward," I spat the word at Eugene. 

"Jo," Negan's voice was stern. "I do not want to have to, but I will have Simon put a bullet in the back of your head to protect my bullet maker." 

Simon cocked his gun and it was so loud in my ear I had to fight not to flinch. 

I tightened my jaw determinedly. 

"Jo," Eugene said in a rare show of back bone. "You and I were friends too once."

I felt my eyes widen in rage and Eugene whimpered. I snapped my hand out, throwing the gun away from me before I lost control and killed him.  

"Abraham used to call me something, what was it?" I challenged, forcing Eugene to continue to stare into my eyes. 

He was actually shaking in fear. 

Someone grabbed my hands and jerked them behind my back, zip tying my wrists together painfully. "Alright everyone, show's over. Someone get Brian to the doc," Negan, of course it was Negan. No one else would dare. 

The gun disappeared from my head and Simon stepped away. 

Negan leaned into me. "Stand down sweetheart," Negan's voice was a gruff order spoken too low for anyone but us to hear. "I do not want to see you dead, but you keep pushing me and I will bash in your beautiful skull myself." Then Negan stepped back, though he kept a hand firmly on my wrists. "Eugene," he ordered in a loud, clear voice the demanded immediate submission.

Eugene quickly snapped into motion and moved to step around me. 

"Eugene!" I snapped his name and he flinched, glancing towards my accusing gaze. "Answer me," I ordered. 

"L-little Sister," Eugene stammered out. 

I jerked my chin once in conformation, keeping my eyes hard even as memories of Abraham seared through me.  "I will never help the people who killed my friend," I promised him. 

"Eugene, what the hell were you thinking coming into here?" Negan asked as Eugene moved to slide past us. 

Eugene paused just in front of us. "The D-Doctor told me she was too injured to be dangerous."

I slammed forward, rushing him. Only Negan's grip on my wrists stopped me just a inches from him. Eugene flinched and Negan's laugh was a pleased chuckle. 

I glared out the top of my eyes dangerously, flexing my arms against Negan's restraint. 

"Get out of here Eugene," Negan ordered and Eugene fled. 

"Eugene," I called glancing over my shoulder at him with every piece of my darkness shine out of my eyes. "I'm always dangerous," I promised him. 

Eugene practically ran from the room. 

Negan's chuckle was a sensual growl behind me. He leaned in. "Yes, you are," his lips glided against the shell of my ear as he spoke. I recoiled in revulsion from the contact and moved to fight. He laughed again and shoved me into the wall as hard as he could. 

With my hands tied behind my back I was helpless to catch myself. I tucked my chin in and turned so my shoulder to the brunt of the impact. The zip ties cut painfully into my skin and I grunted in pain. When I turned back, the door slammed and I was left in darkness once more. 

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I hope you enjoyed the update!!!