.・゜-: ✧☾　☽✧ :-゜・.

"𝐂𝐔𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐄."
A brunette man rushed over to Levi to obey the governor's orders. Levi's eyes were narrowed as he stared at the governor wild with rage. Tracks of tears trailed down his cheek leaving marks on the now-dried blood on his face. His leg was rapidly tapping the ground, bouncing up and down like a ticking time bomb. His mouth was a tight pout as he waited for the man to cut him free.

Stella still laid bent over the table with the governor's hands continuing to violent her. She sobbed violently as she tried to stabilize her breathing but everything around her was too overwhelming. She couldn't move or think or breathe. All she could do was lay there and cry, feeling hopeless and disgusted. Every part of her body ached.

As soon as the man had freed Levi from the ropes, the boy launched himself forward, his body crashing into the governor's. He put his own life in danger to save the girl from violations. He pushed the older man off off Stella before his fist met the governor's cheek followed by a loud grunt. The remaining men in the room hurried forward to push Levi off him but the boy was wild with rage. All he saw was red. He kicked and fought violently against their grasp. In one swift move, he managed to grab hold of a knife in one of the men's holsters. Without hesitation he swung the weapon at the governor's face, letting the sharp blade mark his cheek, deep enough to leave a permanent scar. But that wasn't enough. Levi wanted him dead. He wanted to kill him. He had never murdered a human being before but he wouldn't hesitate if it came down to it with the governor. Levi was now armed and about to end the man's life as he felt himself getting tackled to the hard ground. His head collided with the floor causing a throbbing pain to course through it. A loud grunt escaped the boy's mouth.

"I'll kill you!" He screamed as two strong men grabbed the boy.

Stella watched the scene in horror. She had removed her body from the wooden table and was now pressing herself against the wall as far away from the governor as possible. Her arms were wrapped around her bare upper body as to shield it but it was too late. She had already been too exposed and humiliated. Her legs couldn't hold her body up any longer and her knees gave way causing the girl to collapse in tears.

The governor had backed away from the boy and for the first time, Stella saw actual fear in his eyes. He held his hand pressed against his bleeding cheek.

Suddenly, the man gathered saliva in his mouth before spitting down on the pinned-down boy. Stella's veins pulsed with anger but instead of attacking the man, she remained frozen in place, trying to cover herself up. Her heart raced, its beats thundering echoing through her ears as she awaited for the man's next move. He stood slightly leaned over looking at the blood on his hands and Stella waited for him to strike at Levi again but instead, he just stood up straight, chuckling devilishly.

Suddenly, he paced across the room, to Stella, pulling his gun out in the motion. The girl cried out as she was roughly pushed forward causing her to fall to her knees in the middle of the room. The end of the governor's gun met Stella's temple and the girl fliched feeling the pressure against the side of her face. Levi roared out his rage freely.

"One last chance." The older man said. "Where's your camp?"

Stella hunched over crying, preparing for whatever would happen next. She was ready to die in there for the sake of her group's safety. But she wasn't going to let the governor take Levi's life for it.

The boy's gaze met Stella's and the girl shook her head, mouthing the word "don't." He stared back at her, his eyes pleading.

As the governor pressed the gun harder against Stella's temble the boy instantly snapped. "A prison!" Levi shouted, not hesitating for a second. The girl felt as the older man released the pressure on her temple putting his gun away before harshly forcing Stella to her feet. The room was crowded with three men on top of Levi holding him down and Merle who stood in the doorway. Every pair of eyes felt like they were burning at her bare skin as she stood exposed in front of everyone. Her tears were only a telltale of how weak she felt. Weak and small, like the whole world stared at her at that moment.

The governor kept a firm grip on the back of her neck as she trembled under his rough touch. Levi's face hardened and his eyes were flaming with cold fury. The older man noticed the anger on the boy's face making him grin as he placed a cold hand against Stella's cheek. He brushed against her skin causing her to flinch away from him. His grip on the back of her neck tightened and he shoved her body closer to his. Stella cried out as she tried to move away from him.

"Hey, hey, shh." He said, in the most disturbing way possible. "It's gonna be okay."

Levi's face twisted in anger. "Get your hands off her, you fucking-" His sentence was brought short as one of the men struck at his already sore face to shut him up. Stella sobbed his name as blood began to seep out of his nose. The boy's reaction only seemed to trigger the man to go even further, bringing Stella's body into a forced embrace. The girl exhaustively fought against him but failed. She watched as Levi's face twisted in anger. The governor pressed Stella's body against his, brushing his hand over her hair as she squirmed to get away. His hand trailed over the skin on her arm before tugging a piece of hair behind her ear. He grinned seeing how the boy reacted.

"Get him up." The governor ordered making the two men on top of Levi step off him before bringing him to his feet. He was staring at the governor with a predatory expression and his hands had curled up into two tight fists.

The governor nodded his head towards the door making the remaining men in the room follow him outside, slamming the door behind them. As soon as the man released his grip on Stella's neck, she jolted into Levi's arms, clinging onto him as if life depended on it. His arms wrapped around her body like chains and he held her close, almost like he was going to squeeze out what had just happened to her, hoping for it to seep into himself. He wanted to make her hurt go away. If the hug could heal her from what happened he'd never let her go. His gaze remained fixated on the door as pure rage pulsed through his body. She sobbed violently against his shirt. The two didn't need to say a word. In that moment Stella didn't need to speak, matter of fact she couldn't force a word past the lump in her throat. All she needed was to be held, feeling the comfort of someone familiar.

She needed him.

Stella unravel from the hug cupping Levi's face in her hands. Her gaze trailed over every scar, every bruise, every cut. His face was almost unrecognizable. All the pain he had gone through. Stella tried to speak but couldn't form a word. Levi saw her struggle and brought his hands up to the sides of her face, wiping her tears off with his thumbs before planting a small kiss on her forehead. He pressed her face against his shoulder again, keeping her close, feeling as her body trembled.

Stella felt comfort in the hug, in him. But there was still something inside of her. Something broken. Something no hug could heal. She had lost a piece of herself.

___________

The two teens had no sense of time but assumed that hours had passed since the governor last left the room. The duo sat curled up against the wall waiting in silence. They weren't sure what they were waiting for. They had given the governor what he wanted, however, neither of them believed that he was the kind of man to just let them go. Maybe he was planning on using them as some sort of bait or bargain chip. Or maybe they simply just were no use to him anymore. Or maybe, Rick and the group would bolt through that door any minute to save them. But as the minutes passed, hope slowly died.

Levi had lent his shirt to Stella for her to cover up. She could smell the scent that only could be described as Levi in the fabric. The girl hugged her knees, resting her head against them as she tried to avoid eye contact with the boy next to her. She didn't want to talk or think. Every part of her body was exhausted and ached. And she wasn't even the one who had gotten beat up. She hadn't been harmed physically.

Levi's gaze, however, hadn't left the girl since the governor left the room hours ago as if she would be safe and protected under his watch.

Several bruises had already appeared on her skin. Levi noticed how she tried to hide them but some were impossible to hide. Like the big, handprint-shaped one around her neck or the purple ones around her wrists. Still, all she seemed to worry about was Levi like what just happened didn't bother her. Levi's wounds would heal, some might leave a scar but what happened to Stella would never heal. It would forever leave a scar. Not a visible one, but something that would follow her forever.

"Stella, I'm so sorry-"

"Don't." The girl said, without meeting his eyes.

"I should've done something. I should've stopped him." Levi's eyes pooled with tears. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't protect you."

Stella's head spun around, looking the boy straight in the eye. "Stop it." She said. "There was nothing you could've done."

The girl's eyes were red and swollen from the previous crying and a bruise trailed up her cheek. "All this time running from walkers, you forget what people do. What they always have and always will."

Stella's eyes traveled over Levi's face. "Look at what they did to you."

"It doesn't matter." The boy said.

"Levi, your face is covered in blood and cuts. Your lip is busted and you've probably got a concussion." Stella stared at him.

"I'm fine. Right now, we need to get out of here." The boy's gaze wandered around the room before fixating on the dead walker at the far end of the room. Stella watched as he shot up as if an idea had just popped up in his head. He limped over to the dead, examining it before grabbing its arm. He placed a foot on its chest, putting pressure on it before using his last strength to pull as hard as he could until the walker's arm came flying off. Stella stepped closer watching as he broke the arm with his foot. She studied his actions curiously, as he began to rip it open, pulling out the bone. Flesh and blood were being torn out as he ripped it out, handing one to Stella and keeping one to himself. The girl wrapped her fingers around the bone, holding it tight. Instantly she knew what the boy's intentions with the bone was. They were going to use them as a weapon. As the realization hit her, her grip around it tightened. She wanted the governor dead.

____________________

Beads of sweat dotted Stella's forehead despite the coldness in the room and her heart was hammering in her chest as she waited. It was time. She stood alongside Levi by the door keeping a firm grip on the bone in her hand.

Stella flinched at the sound of two footsteps outside, snapping out of her thoughts. As soon as the door opened, Levi bolted through it, running straight for Merle leaving Stella with the second man. She rushed at him, slamming his body against the wall behind him. She didn't recognize him. She didn't even bother to study the man's appearance before running the bone through his throat, ending his life. However, if you would've asked Stella to describe him afterwards she'd remember every part of his face. The color of his eyes, that rolled back into his head after she had stabbed him. She'd even remember his breath, which blew in her face as she took his life. What it felt like when his hands tried to grab onto her arms, what sound he made as the bone pierced through his skin. His hair, his face, his clothes, even his scent.

Killing walkers had become a habit. She didn't even think before doing it. Matter of fact, she enjoyed it slightly. But killing a human was nothing like it. Her first human kill took a piece of herself. It killed a part of her along with the man - her humanity. As much as she hated the governor and all his men, she wasn't prepared for this.

She just stared blankly as blood came gushing out his throat.

The sound of Levi grunting behind her made her snap out of her trance. She swiftly spun around, grabbing the dead man's gun before pointing it at Merle. The Dixon man clearly had the upper hand, standing with his blade pressed against Levi's throat.

"Let him go!" Stella demanded and to her surprise and confusion, Merle obeyed. He grinned as he lifted his hands in the air.

"Okay."

Stella spun around at the sound of footsteps followed by a gun cocking behind her. She aimed the gun at two more men appearing in the hallway. The girl sighed knowing that she was outnumbered and defeated.

"Give me the gun!" Merle shouted as he rose to his feet and roughly grabbed Stella's gun, shoving it out of her grip before she had the chance to act. Her gaze flashed around her room in desperation but there was nothing for her to do. They were unarmed with several guns pointed at them.

"Get up!" Merle snapped, charging at Levi before harshly forcing him to his feet. The two teens stared at each other in defeat as a man roughly grabbed hold of Stella, shoving her back into the room. Soon after, Merle grabbed Levi and pushed him to his knees next to the girl. The two formed a line as the Dixon man wandered in front of them. Stella's heart sank into her stomach. This was it. This was the end. She could feel it. Still, she couldn't wrap her head around it. Merle, Daryl's brother, was going to murder two innocent and unarmed teens in cold blood. She knew that Merle was messed up but she'd never expect this. He even wore a smirk on his face as he paced back and forth in front of them.

"Glad we could catch up, blondie." He said but Stella didn't meet his gaze. Instead, she kept her eyes plastered on the wall in front of her refusing to look at him. She hated him. She hated him for what he had done to Levi, what he let the governor do to her, and what he was about to do to both of them.

Suddenly she felt Levi's shaky hand wrap around hers and she erupted in tears. She immediately thought about her father. He was already on the edge of losing it. This would have a major impact on him. She knew that he couldn't take another death. He'd lose it, leaving Carl alone to take care of their little sister. Carl would be fine. He was strong, he'd get over it. So would the baby. Suddenly, she felt like she had failed her mother. She promised to look after her family but instead, she squeezed Levi's hand harder as she sobbed.

"Just keep looking at me," Levi told her. "I love you."

Stella stared at him knowing that it was too late. Tears blurred her vision. The words she had longed to hear were just spoken from his lips, unfortunately under the most awful circumstances.

"I love you too," She murmured just loud enough for him to hear it right before she felt a beg get shoved over her head, leaving her in darkness for the second time. Someone roughly grabbed her already sore wrists and tied them together before forcing her to stand up. She cried out for Levi as she made a hopeless attempt to free herself from the man's grip.

"I'm here," Levi spoke calmly.

As they were forced out of the room, Stella heard what sounded like a smoke bomb landing next to her feet followed by the sound of shots and grunts. She was released from the man's grip, falling to the ground. Her hands were still tied together as she tried to crawl away from the scene. Suddenly she felt a hand grab her arm. She screamed and kicked violently trying to get out of their grasp as she was being pulled away.

Suddenly, light seeped into her eyes as someone pulled the bag off her head. She looked around, realizing she was surrounded by familiar faces. Her dad. They were saved.

"It's okay, baby. It's me." Rick said as they rushed through the unknown corridors.

Her father placed a hand on her back as he led her and the group out on the streets. Stella looked around in confusion. They were in a town, with real and untouched houses and neighborhoods that stretched for as long as the eye could see. It was almost like she was back in the old world.

"Inside, quick," Rick said and they hurried inside one of the buildings that seemed to be a restaurant. As soon as they stepped inside, Levi collapsed to the floor as the running had been too exhausting for his beat-up body. He leaned against one of the tables groaning as Stella fell to her knees next to him.

"We're okay." He forced a smile but it was quickly wiped away as his face scrunched up in pain.

"Ain't no way out back here." Stella heard Rick say after he had searched through the room they were currently stuck in. Most members of the group were here, leaving Stella to wonder who was protecting the prison. After Levi gave you the information of where they were living, the governor must have sent his men out to scout it. Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and Oscar were all there. Suddenly, panic surged through her body, knowing that both Carl and her little sister might be under attack as they spoke.

"How bad are you hurt?" Rick asked the very injured Levi. The boy just waved him off, just like he had earlier.

"I'll be alright."

"Where's Michonne?" Glenn asked, looking around the room. The name was unfamiliar to Stella.

"Who?" She questioned.

"The woman that helped us find you guys," Rick replied. "She was right behind us." He mumbled the last words as something else caught his attention. The man's eyes were plastered on Stella's bruised body and the fact that she wasn't in her own clothes. He walked towards her, placing a hand on her chin to tilt her head up slightly so as to get a better look at her neck. For a moment, Stella had almost forgotten about the big dark bruise around it. Rick frowned as he stared at it for multiple moments of silence.

"Stella, what-"

"It's nothing." She tried to brush it off. "Have you seen Levi? He can barely walk. We need to get him out of here."

Rick still stared at the bruise on Stella's neck. The girl tried to read his expression not being able to tell if he was confused, hurt, or angry. Maybe all the above.

"Daryl, this was Merle," Stella informed the younger Dixon brother, trying to change the subject. She watched as Daryl quickly turned around facing the girl in shock.

"You saw him?" He asked. Stella felt bad for Daryl. Finding out that his brother was not only alive but also the governor's right-hand man and the man who had caused all this must be awful.

"Face to face." She replied. "He threw a walker at us. Did this to Levi. Tried to execute us."

"S-so my brother's this governor?" Daryl took a step forward.

"No, he's somebody else," Levi answered, helping Stella to linger out of the question. "Your brother's his lieutenant or something."

"Does he know I'm still with you?"

"He does now," Levi grunted as he adjusted the way he was sitting. "Rick, I'm sorry. We told him where the prison was. We couldn't hold out."

Rick finally tore his gaze away from Stella's neck as he kneeled down next to Levi, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't. No need to apologize." He said before peeking out of the window. "They're gonna be looking for us. We have to get back. Levi, can you walk?"

The boy's face scrunched up in pain as he nodded. Rick and Stella grabbed his arms, helping him to a stance. The boy grunted in pain, almost unable to stand by himself. Just as the group headed for the door, Daryl quickly stepped in between. "Hey, if Merle's around, I have to see him."

"Not now." Rick quickly stopped him. "We're in hostile territory."

"He's my brother! I ain't-" Daryl began but the Grimes man cut him off.

"Look at what he did! Look, we've got to get out of here, now."

"Maybe I can talk to him. Maybe I can work something out." Daryl argued.

"No, no, You're not thinking straight," Rick said before nodding toward Stella and Levi. "Look, no matter what they say, they're hurt. Levi can barely walk and Stella-" The man sucked in a deep breath before continuing. "How are we gonna make it out if we get overrun by a walker or this governor catches up to us? I need you. Are you with me?"

Daryl hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah."

The group turned to the door, standing in a fighting position. Rick looked around to make sure everyone was ready. Stella, along with the group, nodded before he spun his body back to face the door. He opened the door slightly before tossing a smoke bomb outside. Stella watched as the smoke spread over the streets of Woodbury. Soon after, Daryl threw another one out before the group hurried outside.

"Stay tight!" Rick said.

They barely made it fifteen feet before one of the guards noticed them. Suddenly, gunshots echoed through the streets. Stella, who had been handed a gun, began to aim it at the men around them. She usually had great aim, but her shaky hands made it impossible to hold the weapon steady. It was hard to see through the smoke as they continued down the street. After missing four shots, she fired a fifth one. The bullet went straight at one of the men making him fly back. Once again she had ended a man's life. In the span of five minutes, she had managed to kill two men. But this one wasn't the same thing. She could barely see what the man looked like due to the fog.

Panic had erupted on the streets -people screaming and running for their lives. The group ran through the smoke, gun blazing as the people shooting at them seemed to have doubled, quickly outnumbering them.

"Go! Take cover!" Rick shouted at the group. 

Stella swiftly ducked behind a parked car, bringing Levi with her. The boy let his exhausted body collapse next to the vehicle before leaning against it. Stella peeked her head up and continued to fire her gun at the silhouettes that were hiding in the thick fog. As she did, she was frightened that she might shoot one of the members of her group or an innocent person. The bullets from her gun took down two more men like it was nothing. Rick tossed yet another smoke bomb giving the group another chance to run for the car. Oscar led them to an old school bus that was parked by the wall. The man climbed up first before grabbing Levi's hand to help him up. The boy was in mid-air when a bullet pierced through the air, flying straight into Oscar's chest. Levi fell to the ground as the man released his grip on his arm, falling back as he cried out in pain.

Stella and Glenn collapsed next to Oscar's body. Stella's fingers traveled around his neck and wrists, desperately trying to locate his pulse. Blood seeped out of the open wound on his chest and the man's eyes were shut. Glenn grabbed Stella's hands before pulling her to her feet. "He's gone. We have to go. Get Levi."

Stella had almost forgotten about him. The boy laid on his side, trying to stand up after the fall. He groaned and pressed his hand to his side as Stella helped him up. Her body jumped at the sound of Glenn firing a bullet into Oscar's head to prevent him from turning, a scene that was too familiar for Stella.

The Grimes girl jumped onto the hood of the bus before helping Levi up. The pair jumped over the wall followed by Glenn and Rick. With Rick in the lead, the four of them ran around the wall before stopping behind a shrubbery. Guards were roaming on top of the walls, pacing back and forth carrying big and heavy guns as some used bright spotlights to light up the outside of Woodbury. 

"Where's Daryl?" Stella panted.

"He's still inside," Rick said.

The group suddenly spun around at the sound of something rustling in the bushes behind them. Stella aimed her gun into the darkness ahead of her as a woman stepped out. She had dark skin and dreadlocks with a bandana wrapped around her head. The woman held a firm grip on the handle of her katana that sheathed to her back. Blood and fresh cuts covered her face and stella noticed that she was limping as she approached them.

"Where the hell were you?" Rick shot up and immediately aimed his revolver at her face. Stella had never met the woman before, making her assume that she was Michonne - the woman they had talked about earlier. "Put your hands up." He demanded.

Michonne listened and placed her arms in the air. Stella was confused as to why her father was shouting at her since she obviously was injured and afraid.

"Turn around. Turn around!"

The woman turned around slowly before Rick grabbed her katana leaving her unarmed.

"Get what you came from?" He snapped at her.

"Where are the rest of your people?" Michonne asked.

"They got Oscar," Glenn informed her.

"Daryl's missing. You didn't see him?" Stella asked, surprised by the amount of concern and worry she felt for the man. The man whose brother had, only hours ago, kidnapped them, beat up Levi, and tried to execute them. She knew that she couldn't blame Daryl for what happened to them but she hated him for going back for his brother.

Michonne just shook her head as Rick took a step forward. "If anything happens to him-" Rick roared.

"I brought you here to save them," Michonne said. "You'll need help to get them back to the prison or to go back in there to get Daryl. Either way, you need me." The expression on the woman's face said nothing but good intentions. Stella could tell that she meant no harm. Rick, on the other hand, seemed to doubt the woman's intentions as he hesitated for a moment.

As much as Stella wanted to bring Levi back to the prison, the will to get revenge was stronger. She didn't know if she was ready to see his face again. The face that belonged to the man who took so much from her within the span of just five minutes. However, she knew that if they were going to end the governor's life- it had to be her. She wanted to look him in the eye as she pulled the trigger.

_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____
𝟒𝟕𝟖𝟓 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬
_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____

𝐀/𝐍

these past chapters have been sooo long, please comment what u think of longer chapters

also sorry for these past chapters bcs they've been so sad but I promise Stella will get happier