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Emma opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the brightness of the cold room as memories of what happened flashed through her mind. She lifted her head in a more alert manner as she realised she was in a cell like room with no windows and concrete walls, a single light above her head that disoriented her. She took a deep breath to calm herself, moving her hands slightly due to them being tied to the chair she was seated on. Emma's legs were tied to the legs of the chair, her bag and weapons laid out on a table not too far from her. And she was immediately worried about Taylor knowing the way one of the men looked at them.

The door in front of her opened slowly, an older man in presentable clothing stepped in. "Hello there, sorry for the inconvenience regarding your... trapped situation. It's a safety precaution," He spoke kindly before pulling a chair to sit in front of Emma. She rolled her eyes at him before leaning back in her chair, refusing to say anything to him. "Well... You attacked one of my men," He continued. The two of them were completely silent before he sighed and stood up, "Fine. Are you alone? Other than the teenager?" Emma raised a brow, "Is she okay?" He nodded and Emma proceeded to fall into silence.

The silence deafened the room as they stared at one another, Emma knew what was happening here. He wanted a camp to raid but even if she was in a group, she wouldn't give that information up. But she knew that he wouldn't believe she was truly alone out there with only Taylor by her side; especially considering the condition she was currently in with injuries and the clear pale tone showing illness. "You really don't talk much, do you?" He asked with a sly smirk as he bent down slightly. He sighed before standing up straight, "I'm sorry to do this but... protocol is protocol."

He curled his fist and sent it flying into the side of Emma's face, the impact sending her head to the side harshly. She let out a slight groan as he began pacing, "For every unanswered question, you'll be hit and I'm not the biggest fan of hurting women. So make this easier for me, yeah?" Emma lifted her gaze to him as he awaited a response. "Go fuck yourself," Was all she said before she coped a beat down that would put her father to shame. But she had to admit, she looked forward to fighting back the moment she got free from these binds holding her down 'cause the man would suffer then.

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Later that night, Emma was left alone in the dark with blood dripping from her mouth as her jaw ached. The pounding in her head never ceased as the silence gave her peace for a moment in her life. Distant footsteps made her lift her head, the door opened followed by the light turning on and in walked a familiar face, someone she hadn't expected to see standing in front of her. "Shit, Em... I didn't think he'd go that hard. I'm sorry this happened. I really am. I wish I could do something but two against twenty isn't gonna be easy," Jason looked pained as he spoke, he had been sent undercover into this group and seeing Emma was a relief to him.

Emma shrugged her shoulders without a care in the world, it's not like there's anything waiting out there for her or anyone really; they probably think I'm dead, she thought to herself. "I thought I'd bring you some food when John mentioned you. We'll be out of here soon. The girl's okay, they won't touch her 'cause John's protecting her," Jason informed as he held out a bowl of some sort of stew. He carefully fed Emma the food, he didn't say anything more as she ate every last drop. She was thankful for the full stomach and as Jason cleaned up the blood, Emma felt a small dose of hope that maybe she and Taylor would be okay again.

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"If it wasn't the apocalypse and you could be anywhere in the world doing any job you wanted, where would you be and doing what?" Emma asked Daryl as she lay with her head on his chest and one of her legs across his. "Is this really the question you want to ask me?" Daryl asked her with an amused grin. "Well, I could ask you what your favourite color is but that seems to bland," Emma teased lightly as she moved her head to look up at him. "I'm not sure about where I would be but... I'd have my own garage and fix up cars and bikes," Daryl told her making her smile as she nodded. "What about you?" Daryl asked her as he brushed her hair over her shoulder.

"I'd be wherever you are working long shifts as a nurse helping people," Emma answered him with a shy smile. Daryl's chest warmed at her words, he moved his hand from her hip to hold the back of her neck as he pushed her lips against his. The two moved closer to each other as their mouths moved passionately, Emma let out a quiet moan as she placed her hand on his chest. However, before anything more could happen, the sound of thuds hitting the tent and children's giggles caused them to pull apart. "Heavy rain!" Carl called out while Sophia laughed. Emma shook her head as Daryl sighed, the hunter smirked. "You two have three seconds to run before we come after ya," Daryl warned.

Carl and Sophia instantly shrieked before they took off, distant laughing told Emma and Daryl that some of the others had witnessed the playful attack. Emma leaned down and kissed Daryl softly before pulling back, the two shared a smile before they climbed out of the tent. "Y'all are in trouble now!" Daryl called out before he and Emma went chasing after Sophia and Carl, the two kids laughter filled the air bringing smiles to everyones faces. This is what they needed during the end of the world and as Rick watched the four running around, the kids trying to avoid the adults; he knew protecting them all was his mission.

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One month. A whole month trapped in the small room with one meal a day and a few visits from the leader Emma now knows as Vincent, who apparently "hates" hitting women but has no problem hitting her. "I've always hated cowardly men who put their hands on women... Disgraces they are... However, some situations are... needed... to resolve issues." He always says right before he hits her. She doesn't fight back anymore, she just sits there letting it all happen. Not because she's given up, but because fighting back each time has become pointless in her eyes. It's better that she saved every drop of strength for her escape from this nightmare; Jason preparing for that day.

Emma had learned that the group had captured Jakob and Jason had been sent in by his people to play spy so they could tear them down by locating the ones who held the least loyalty to Vincent and his tyranny over the group. However, Jason had only managed to locate three people at most so far who were willing and ready to fight back against Vincent and his crooks. But Emma told him it was okay, she'd stay strong against anything that Vincent bought her way 'cause she had all her childhood experiences and she could handle it without any worries or concerns; Jason hated it, he hated seeing his friend in pain.

Emma was currently just sitting by the window in her new cell as the rain fell forcefully from the dark grey clouds that blocked the sky. Vincent hadn't been in to bother her for a while, it had been almost peaceful for Emma. She had taken time to think about that night at the farm, she couldn't help but be scared about who might be alive and might be gone. She really hoped Daryl is doing okay, that he isn't distancing himself from the others due to what happened. She hoped Carl and Sophia were alright and that they aren't struggling with everything and that they are being strong, supporting each other.

She worried about all of them, Lori with the pregnancy, Carol with the fears of losing her daughter, T-Dog with trying to protect everyone, Rick doing what he can to keep them all safe and alive, Glenn and Maggie fighting to survive, Hershel keeping them holding on to hope while Beth tried to adapt to the world she had been thrown into. Her mind reeled back to fears she carried worrying about the ones she adored, she wanted to know if they were okay or not. Emma knew that Taylor was okay but the family she had found and created... she prayed they were okay and fighting to continue their fight.

Either way, it was awfully quiet on that day and that peace was soothing after all of the crap she had been through. And despite all of the work she had done to train herself, she had lost a lot of that muscle she had built so push-ups and sit-ups are all she was relying on at the moment. "What the?" A loud bang was heard just down the hall from Emma's cell, she quickly jumped up and made her way to the door. Groaning and moaning, a familiar sound started echoing through the building. It wasn't that hard to understand what was happening, Vincent had lost control.

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Rosemary Speaks

Jason and Emma have reunited!!!

How are we feeling about this?

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions?

See you in the next chapter!